Despite sporting a “Jersey Shore pimp limp” courtesy of Munhoz’s leg kicks, Edgar said his performance proved he’s still a viable contender.
“I heard a lot of MFers barking that I’m old, I’m slow,” Edgar told UFC commentators after his split-decision win, which came on Saturday at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. “I definitely proved them all wrong. I’ve still got some fight in this tank, baby, and we’re going to make a run at [bantamweight].”
Edgar now has won fights in three different weight classes. For the early part of his UFC career, he dominated the competition at 155 pounds. During his reign, he rejected calls to move down in weight, but later made the drop to featherweight, where he tried three times to capture the title. After his most recent title setback at 145, and a short-notice stoppage loss, he finally made good on a plan to move to bantamweight.
Over five rounds, Edgar kept a high pace and avoided the bulk of Munhoz’s power punches. According to the UFC’s official stats, Munhoz led in total and significant strikes, connecting on 47 percent to Edgar’s 37 percent (unusually, the two different metrics had the same value). Edgar was credited with two takedowns, though Munhoz never spent an extended period on the canvas.
Edgar was transported to the hospital immediately after the fight, UFC President Dana White reported, after taking dozens of Munhoz’s kicks. Edgar sported a limp after the fight.
The damage didn’t diminish Edgar’s enthusiasm for his new weight class.
“If anything, better than I was at the other weights,” he said. “I wasn’t carrying any of the weight.”
Munhoz suffered his second straight setback after a decision loss to current No. 1 contender Aljamain Sterling. As the No. 5 fighter in the promotion’s bantamweight rankings, Munhoz could give up his spot to Edgar, who currently holds the No. 8 spot on the featherweight list.
The former lightweight champ has said he’s aiming for nothing less than gold in his latest weight class.
“I got my feet wet,” Edgar said. “I think the sky’s the limit for myself. I didn’t look slow in there. Pedro’s a top dog, and that makes me a top dog. [Tom’s River, N.J.], baby. TR. We back!”
Check out Edgar’s full interview.
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