Frankie Edgar is likely to get the next shot at UFC lightweight champion BJ Penn, according to Sports Illustrated’s Josh Gross, who reports that the matchup is “very likely” for April.
Yesterday, Penn announced that he would likely fight at UFC 112 on April 10 in Abu Dhabi.
Gray Maynard, who takes on Nate Diaz in the main event of Monday’s UFC Fight Night 20, was also believed to be in contention for the title shot, and things could conceivably change pending the bout.
Edgar (11-1), a four-time national wrestling qualifier at Clarion University, has gone 6-1 in the UFC since debuting with the promotion in early-2007. Despite a loss to Maynard in April 2008, three straight wins over Hermes Franca, former champ Sean Sherk, and, most-recently in December, Matt Veach were apparently enough to earn him a matchup with Penn.
Penn (15-5-1) has won 5 of his past 6 fights, losing only to welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre last January before dominating title defenses over Kenny Florian in August and Diego Sanchez in December.
UFC 112 is also expected to feature middleweight champion Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort and Matt Hughes vs. Renzo Gracie.
Click to expand...
WOW, Back to Back cards with two title fights if this is true.