UFC 136 Results: Where Does Frankie Edgar Stand in the Pound-for-Pound Rankings?

Pound-for-pound rankings are things that change wildly after every event. This is no truer than after UFC 136, where UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar took a tremendous leap up the rankings.

But is this deserved? Does Edgar truly deserve to be ranked higher than the other champions?

It's not a question that can be answered easily; an entire slideshow needs to be dedicated to figuring out "The Answer" and how he matches up against each of the other six UFC champions.

Dominick Cruz: Above

Watching Dominick Cruz vs. Frankie Edgar would be like watching Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard, only this time Edgar would be Maynard.

Edgar—a man known for his speed—would actually be the slower of the two fighters and would have to chase after Cruz like Maynard after Edgar.

However, this still doesn't mean that Dominick Cruz would beat Edgar. Edgar's striking is more powerful and his wrestling is superior; he would take Cruz to the mat or press him up against the cage and keep him there.

Jose Aldo: Above

UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is looking more mediocre as time goes on; he looked merely mediocre against an average Kenny Florian.

What then would happen if he fought Edgar?

Edgar would make him look foolish. The New Jersey native would avoid the Brazilian's strikes and would inevitably take him down and earn a decision victory.

Edgar is simply a nightmare matchup for Aldo.

Georges St-Pierre: Below

Even though UFC president Dana White claims that Edgar is now the number two pound-for-pound fighter in the world, he's wrong.

Edgar may have more heart and more elusive, quick striking than UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, but the Canadian has far better wrestling despite not wrestling a day in his life before becoming a fighter.

St-Pierre has never had trouble taking anyone down when he really wanted to and he certainly wouldn't have a problem with Edgar.

Anderson Silva: Below

If Gray Maynard—a wrestler who isn't exactly known for his striking expertise—can come close to knocking out Frankie Edgar, can you imagine what UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva would do to him?

No more needs to be said here; Edgar couldn't touch Silva.

Jon Jones: Below

Frankie Edgar would simply have no match for light heavyweight champion Jon Jones' wrestling, unorthodox striking and top control.

If Edgar didn't get knocked out, he'd be taken down and submitted; Jones is just too good.

Cain Velasquez: Uncertain for Now

Heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will prove whether or not he is above Edgar in the pound-for-pound rankings when he fights Junior Dos Santos at UFC on FOX.

If Velasquez can't get Dos Santos down to the mat, it's unlikely that he could do the same to the slippery, elusive Edgar.

However, if he dominates Dos Santos with his wrestling, then he could almost certainly take Edgar down too.

Velasquez's abilities against the highest level of competition are just too much of a question mark right now to determine whether or not he'd beat Edgar in a "pound-for-pound" fight.

Conclusion: Edgar Is Tied for 4th with Velasquez

Frankie Edgar is definitely below Silva, St-Pierre and Jones but is surely above Aldo and Cruz. Whether or not he's above Velasquez will be determined by Velasquez's performance against Dos Santos.

If you disagree, don't get upset. Pound-for-pound rankings are a fun speculative thing to discuss and aren't to be taken too seriously. I'll let Chael Sonnen tell you why (fast forward to the 4:00 mark to hear it).