UFC 144 Results: Why Frankie Edgar Needs to Drop to Featherweight

At UFC 144, Benson Henderson decisioned Frankie Edgar to claim the UFC lightweight belt. The decision was close, but Edgar was easily the more battered of the two. Now, however, Edgar may face another thorny decision: whether to keep fighting at lightweight, where he is undersized, or compete 10 pounds lower at featherweight, where he would fit right in size-wise.

Though he may not drop down right away, the move would seem to be a matter of if, not of when. It can be argued that Edgar's greatest assets as a fighter—the intangibles of head, heart and guts—will keep him at 155. But the other side is that those very intangibles will best serve him at featherweight, where he may have a better physical chance at a sustained run of greatness. 

It's telling that a clear volume advantage for Edgar in the striking phase did not only not translate into a win, but also didn't inflict more damage than Henderson's lower-buck, higher-bang attack. You could make a not-completely insane case that Edgar not only out-struck Henderson, but out-fought him over the full five-round affair. He landed more often than Henderson, using that signature lightning footwork and body movement to dart in and out of range. 

So why did he end up with the full share of the fight written on his face after five rounds?

Because when Henderson landed...ugh. It had nothing to do with skill or heart or anything like that. Henderson used the international law of Being Bigger and Stronger Than You to inflict major damage at even small opportunities.

“I wanted to use my size to my advantage," Henderson told UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan after the fight. "Making weight kind of sucks for me...I pay a big price for that so I want to make sure my opponents feel that pain when we're inside this octagon.”

So in this respect, Edgar's body couldn't keep up with the demands he was placing on it. He arguably fought the better fight, but still came out the worse for wear. And it was more than just that one demonic upkick at the end of the second round (though that was pivotal).

He might stay at lightweight. He'll probably win again at 155. He could win a lot more. But any subsequent winning streak would be a qualified one. He need only face a lightweight with roughly comparable skillets and a superior physical makeup for all the qualities that make Edgar great to be negated.

Thus, a long championship-level run may not be so realistic for Edgar at lightweight. A drop to featherweight would instantly negate that black cloud, thus leveling the playing field. That will allow Edgar to excel, and to better express and utilize the traits that make him a great fighter.