Frankie Edgar thinks the fighter who currently holds UFC lightweight gold is on track to be the greatest the division has ever seen.
A former titleholder himself, Edgar (24-11-1 MMA, 18-11-1 UFC) won the lightweight title in 2010 and defended it twice. Despite holding his era in high regard, Edgar recently told MMA Junkie Radio his pick for 155-pound GOAT is Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC).
By comparison, Makhachev has successfully defended the title four times, with wins over Alexander Volkanovski (twice), Dustin Poirier, and Renato Moicano. He doesn’t currently have a fight on the books.
“Islam, if he continues on the path he does, you’ve got to give it to him,” Edgar said. “He’s finishing guys. He’s not just defending the title. He’s finishing guys. He probably takes the cake.”
While Edgar is a proud champion, he sounded at peace with his decision to retire in 2022. The grind hasn’t stopped, though. Edgar said being a family man and wrestling coach has kept him plenty busy.
“(I’m) coaching my kids in wrestling,” Edgar said. “It’s definitely the nerves of it all and the worries of it all – and the joy you get from it, too. I think it’s the closest thing to (fighting).”
