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UFC 268: Boardroom Q&A with Frankie Edgar

Last Updated: January 1, 2022
“Winning has a way of taking care of things. As long as I win some fights, I’m always in the game,” the MMA icon tells Boardroom ahead of UFC 268.

Frankie Edgar’s been around.

His career spans several distinct eras of mixed martial arts — his first pro fight came in 2005 at the age of 23 with the Underground Fight League at a boxing gym in the Bronx that was less than state-of-the-art, if we’re being charitable. He made his UFC debut two years later on a Las Vegas a pay-per-view headlined by a prime era Anderson Silva. He went on to become UFC lightweight champion.

On Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, “The Answer” will enter the cage at UFC 268 for his first fight as a 40-year-old, standing opposite Marlon “Chito” Vera in a much-anticipated bantamweight bout on the main card.

Ahead of the big night at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Boardroom caught up with theToms River, New Jersey native to talk about preparation, legacy, and what the road ahead looks like for a one-of-a-kind bruiser whose Hall of Fame CV is already assured.

As Edgar explained to Boardroom at UFC 268 media day on Wednesday:

Camp’s been great. I always prepare the right way, and this camp was no different. I’m excited to find kind of a home game and put a show on for the fans.

I just cut out the fat, the stuff that’s really not helping you. I’m a very disciplined person, that’s the biggest key. Discipline in my workouts, discipline in my diet, my recovery. It’s a well-oiled machine; you’ve gotta take care of it.

You’ve always gotta go back [with] fights that maybe didn’t go your way and try to see things you could do differently, but I’m not trying to look back — I’m trying to look forward. The ideal situation is getting this dub on Saturday, and then go home, you know, eat some cheeseburgers and stuff and decide what we’ll do next.

I always think, I got [a UFC championship] once before at 155 pounds, and winning has a way of taking care of things. As long as I win some fights, I’m always in the game.

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Finally, we couldn’t let Frankie go without asking him our favorite question — if the UFC went back to the old days of no weight classes and held an “Openweight Grand Prix,” what weight would you show up at, and who would you be facing in the championship match?

“I weigh normally probably 155 pounds, and it’s gonna be me and [Francis] Ngannou in the finals,” he said with absolutely zero hesitation.

Frankie vs. Francis. The poster practically designs itself.

And while there are rumors out there that Chito Vera could be Edgar’s last opponent before he calls it a career, we’ll make a point to hold out some hope that Frankie and Francis can at least get in some sparring together one day. Maybe mint the moment as an NFT afterward. Who says no?

Frankie Edgar’s Vital Stats & Career Accomplishments

  • Age: 40
  • Hometown: Toms River, NJ
  • Height: 5-foot-6
  • Current weight class: Bantamweight (135 pounds)
  • Reach: 68 inches
  • Nickname: The Answer
  • Pro MMA record: 24-9-1
  • Division II college wrestler at Clarion University of Pennsylvania
  • Former UFC lightweight champion
  • Successfully defended UFC lightweight title two times
  • Currently No. 8 in UFC men’s bantamweight rankings
  • Received 11 UFC bonus awards worth between $25,000 to $75,000 each, tied for No. 8 all-time among male fighters
  • Eight UFC bonus awards for Fight of the Night are tied for the most in UFC history

UFC 268 begins with early prelims at 6 p.m. ET Saturday night on ESPN+. Prelims begin at 8 p.m. on ESPNews, with the main card touching off at 10 p.m. ET exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

Click here to check out Boardroom’s interview with fellow UFC 268 main card competitor Michael Chandler.

Sam Dunn

Sam Dunn is the Managing Editor of Boardroom. Before joining the team, he was an editor and multimedia talent for several sports and culture verticals at Minute Media and an editor, reporter, and site manager at SB Nation. A specialist in content strategy, copywriting, and SEO, he has additionally worked as a digital consultant in the corporate services, retail, and tech industries. He cannot be expected to be impartial on any matter regarding the Florida Gators or Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter @RealFakeSamDunn.

About The Author
Sam Dunn
Sam Dunn
Sam Dunn is the Managing Editor of Boardroom. Before joining the team, he was an editor and multimedia talent for several sports and culture verticals at Minute Media and an editor, reporter, and site manager at SB Nation. A specialist in content strategy, copywriting, and SEO, he has additionally worked as a digital consultant in the corporate services, retail, and tech industries. He cannot be expected to be impartial on any matter regarding the Florida Gators or Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter @RealFakeSamDunn.