UFC 136 Results: Is Frankie Edgar the Greatest Lightweight Ever?

Frankie Edgar just sent a huge message to lightweight fighters the world over, knocking out Gray Maynard in the fourth round of their UFC 136 title fight.

With this victory, Edgar has tied the record for most consecutive defenses of the UFC Lightweight Championship with three. The record was previously held exclusively by BJ Penn.

Edgar is also unbeaten in his last seven fights and, during that streak, has earned victories over Hermes Franca, Sean Sherk, BJ Penn (twice), and now Gray Maynard.

Is all this success enough to make Edgar the greatest lightweight fighter of all-time?

Not quite.

Edgar is close to achieving that status, but the greatest lightweight ever is still BJ Penn.

Penn defended his belt the same amount of times as Edgar, but looked far more dominant while he held the championship, finishing all of his challengers—expect for Edgar, of course.

What Edgar is missing that he needs to become the best ever at 155lbs. is superman status.

Penn had that and Edgar, who has looked vulnerable in his past two fights, has not yet achieved it.

It would also help Edgar's case for greatest of all-time if he began to finish fights on a more consistent basis; tonight was definitely a step in the right direction.

If Edgar defends his belt a couple more times, then he will definitely be the best lightweight ever, but for now he's a close second to Penn.

The UFC's lightweight division is absolutely stacked, so there will be no shortage of contender's for Edgar to continue to prove himself against.