UFC 118 Frankie Edgar vs. B.J. Penn: Who Should Be The Favorite?

For years, Frankie Edgar fought in the wrong weight class. He should have dropped to 145 lbs. to fight for the WEC featherweight championship.

For months, Edgar did not deserve a title shot. Gray Maynard should have faced B.J. Penn.

Now, in just a few days, Edgar will have his opportunity to prove everyone wrong again…even though he already has.

When Frankie Edgar enters the octagon to face Penn, Edgar will be the one wearing the UFC lightweight title. A little over four months ago, Edgar and Penn first fought for Penn’s title. Edgar left with the belt.

All questions about Edgar should have been answered. Edgar was the champion.

“It’s another fight,” Edgar said in regards to the rematch. “It’s another great challenge ahead of me and that’s how I approach it.”

Clearly, Edgar does not believe what most other people think: Edgar’s first win was a fluke. Vegas certainly thinks Edgar was lucky. Sportsbook.com has installed Penn as a lofty 1-to-3 favorite.

“I think the last three or four fights, I have been the underdog,” Edgar said about his wins over Hermes Franca, Sean Sherk, Matt Veach, and Penn. “So, I seem to perform pretty good in this position.”

But what happened in the first fight to make anyone think the second fight will go differently?

Edgar was never in serious danger, and the decision was unanimous. Edgar just utilized a different strategy than people wanted to see. He did not try to finish Penn. He tried to out point him.

Nevertheless, Edgar is the undisputed UFC champion.

“It is the greatest achievement you have in our sport to be the world champ for the best organization in the world,” the Toms River, New Jersey native said.

Even with the loss, Penn is widely thought of as the best lightweight in the sport’s history.

“I don’t want to sit here and say I am satisfied, because I want to stay champ as long as possible,” Edgar said. “I still hold B.J. in high regard, and he is a legend in this sport and still is the greatest lightweight of all time.”

With Edgar already showing the world how to defeat Penn, Penn will be forced to change up his strategy. Allowing Edgar to dance around and engage when necessary will likely result in another loss for Penn. The problem for Penn is that Edgar is just plain faster.

“I know B.J. is a smart fighter,” Edgar said. “He has a good team around him, and I know he is going to come in with a great plan to counter my last fight.”

“So, you know my team and I are trying to counter what he is going to counter.”

The chess match for the lightweight championship has already started. Edgar will have the chance to prove everyone wrong again. Someday, Edgar may gain the respect he should have already earned.