Outside Source
Former UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar is saving the day at UFC Busan.
Edgar has agreed to face Chan Sung Jung in the main event of the Dec. 21 fight card, according to multiple people with knowledge of the pending booking following a report from ESPN.com. UFC President Dana White also confirmed the switch on the Rich Eisen Show.
Jung lost his originally scheduled opponent for UFC Busan when onetime title challenger Brian Ortega suffered a torn ACL and was forced to withdraw from the event in South Korea. The search led to Edgar, who is five months removed from a loss to featherweight champ Max Holloway at UFC 240.
Edgar planned a move to bantamweight after that setback, his fourth title loss since losing the lightweight strap in 2012. After welcoming a detour with a fight against Conor McGregor, he subsequently signed with red-hot prospect Sandhagen, who’s won his past five since signing with the UFC.
Now, Edgar will postpone that cut with his fight against Jung scheduled for 145 pounds, Jung’s longtime fighting weight. The headlining bout is scheduled for five rounds.
As a result of the switch, Sandhagen’s wish to fight Edgar could be stymied. UFC Raleigh takes place less than one month after UFC Busan on Jan. 25. The promotion reportedly is seeking a backup for the ex-champ. According to sources, Edgar will reassess his next fight after the December fight card, and it could potentially still come against Cory Sandhagen in his bantamweight debut.
“The UFC is trying to do their jobs and save a huge card, which I get, but they’re also losing a shot at an opportunity to turn a young, new face into a star, and the Raleigh fans are going to be pretty bummed too,” Sandhagen told ESPN.com.
This article first appeared at MMA Fighting – All Posts
Help support MMACrazies.com when you shop Amazon by starting your online Amazon shopping at MMACrazies.com/recommends/amazon. You are not charged extra, but we receive a small and very helpful commission on everything you purchase. Thanks for thinking of us every time you shop at Amazon.
