by Adam Lawman
Frankie Edgar completed his masterpiece Saturday night in Boston. The artist of the octagon used jabs and kicks as his brushstrokes and painted the perfect victory over BJ Penn. If there were doubts after their first match up at UFC 112 about who was the better fighter, there surely aren’t anymore. The question was answered and a career was defined. Frankie Edgar proved to the world that he is one of the best fighters at 155lbs in mixed martial arts today.
The movement that he uses has spawned many parodies relating to his style being perceived as dancing, which it is, however there is so much more to it. Just like the sweet science of boxing, mixed martial arts calls for a tango of sorts between the competitors, both working to the beat of their own pulsing hearts. Months of preparation for the fight, not to mention years overall of training each art’s disciplines (boxing, jiu-jitsu, etc.) creates a calculated and incredible choreography of muscle memory used to instinctually make the best decisions. Frankie Edgar’s iron will showed through the nerves of fighting for the prize of all prizes, whereas Penn’s mindset seemed clouded with doubt.
It takes a great competitor to make a legend insecure. That’s what Edgar did as he relentlessly peppered Penn with quick, effective strikes that signalled his dominance just like a wild beast would mark his territory. And when Penn did get motivated and jumped out of his cage of self-doubt to score a takedown and secure good positioning, what did “The Answer” do? He answered back with a quick reversal, telling Penn, with skills, that the championship belt was his and his only, to which Penn replied with silence. BJ accepted a little more realization of defeat with each reversal, jab, kick or takedown that Edgar scored. By the end of the 25 minutes, Frankie Edgar had taken every ounce of spirit from the former champion and icon of fighting.
Both the UFC’s plans for Edgar’s second title defense as well his journey to unquestionable lightweight supremacy call for a stroll down a similar path. Gray Maynard, the only person to ever defeat Edgar, won a top contender bout to claim a shot at the belt so the two will rematch sometime in 2011 in a meeting that will be marketed as a tale of revenge for Frankie Edgar. The always changing landscape of MMA will be epitomized by two newer talents vieing for the 155lbs championship in what will be the beginning of a brand new generation for the sport.
Until then, one thing remains proven and true above all else. The UFC lightweight champion is Frankie “The Answer” Edgar.
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