Frankie Edgar KOs Chad Mendes in 1st Round of TUF 22 Finale Main Event

A day before the featherweight division sees the biggest fight in the history of the weight class, perennial top contenders Chad Mendes and Frankie Edgar stepped in the Octagon to determine who might be next. The world is awaiting Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor's clash, after all, but the division will eventually need a new challenger to the throne.

In a week filled to overflowing with brilliant bits of matchmaking, Mendes vs. Edgar stood among the very best, with two absolute elite athletes who are head and shoulders above everyone except for Aldo, at least historically.

When it was over, Edgar stood alone. Mendes was on the canvas.

The theme of Edgar's career has been that of speed and endurance, but on Friday night in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale event in Las Vegas, it was Edgar's power that did the job. After being caught by several powerful leg kicks from Mendes early in the first, Edgar caught his opponent with a right that stunned him slightly. It was enough to give Edgar the opening for a swift left hook that sent Mendes crashing face first to the canvas.

When he landed, referee John McCarthy began moving in to stop the fight. Mendes appeared to recover and rolled over to protect himself, but McCarthy was already there, waving his hands in the air to signal the end of the fight, and Edgar was beginning his victory celebration.

Mendes shook his head, protesting the decision, but it was done. It is the Team Alpha Male fighter's second knockout loss in a row; he fell to McGregor in July.

For Edgar, this should have been enough to finally earn him another title shot. The former lightweight champion noted in his post-fight interview that UFC President Dana White had left the arena early before saying that he wanted the next title shot.

No matter who emerges from tomorrow night's ultra-huge main event, it's clear who will be next in line. Edgar, so long shunted to the side after losing multiple title fights a few years ago, probably can't be ignored any longer. He is one of the sport's great undervalued fighters, constantly contending against and beating the best in two separate divisions through his career.

Now, at least if there is any kind of justice in the world, he'll find himself back in the Octagon with another chance at championship greatness.