Frankie Edgar - “No Respect”

Frankie Edgar's first title defense comes against the man he beat, BJ Penn, at UFC 118 on August 28

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Even though Frankie Edgar is the reigning Lightweight Champion in the UFC, he isn’t given nearly enough respect for such a title! The reasons why seem so painfully obvious, but just in case you never thought enough about it I’ll tell you why I believe Edgar hasn’t been given his dues.

Frankie earned his title after a split decision win over BJ Penn at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi… That’s the reason. Now don’t get me wrong there are many more factors that play into his underestimated career, but it is painfully obvious that BJ Penn is one of the most popular fighters in the world and no one likes to see their favorite get beat!S

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Outside of Anderson Silva, every champion in the UFC is pretty much one sided. I don’t think Brock will ever pull out a Triangle Choke, and I don’t see Shogun sinking the Peruvian Neck Tie any time soon. “The Answer” is just as talented in his wrestling field as every other champion in their chosen art. However, who has Frankie Edgar beat? Spencer Fisher, and Sean Sherk are MAJOR names in the lightweight division, but they aren’t popular! Casual fans follow the big dogs! Randy Couture, Brock Lesnar, GSP, these are all household names anymore, and if Frankie were to pull of a win against a few more of those type of fighters then maybe he would gain the casual fans’ respect.

His bout (and win) against Penn gained him some fans, that’s certain, but it more than likely gained him even more enemies. Joe Schmoe from the local corner bar could go in and KO Brock Lesnar in the octagon and it’s not going to gain him the number one P4P spot, only a few million YouTube hits! As in any business, the UFC knows where its money is, and it’s not in a Jersey boy with a college wrestling career in Southwestern Pennsylvania. It takes time to mold a fighter into a PPV draw and a crowd favorite, and right now all Frankie Edgar seems to be is the little engine that could.

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If Frankie Edgar ever wants to gain the credibility he deserves, and millions of fans like his predecessor he needs to act like he’s already got clout, or demand to be given it. Unless he comes in and knocks BJ Penn's teeth into the ceiling he will continue to lack the respect he’s earned. He doesn’t hype a fight at all, and doesn’t sell tickets, no casual fan pays any attention to him. The meathead at the bar that continually calls James Toney “Roy Jones” while watching the UFC 118 preview (shoutout to whoever you were buddy, you uhhh, rock?) will not have respect for “The Answer” until he opens his mouth and tells them to give it or hits a few more big boys in theirs!

By Harold Hughes
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer