The UFC featherweight championship will be on the line as Max Holloway takes on Frankie Edgar at UFC 240, Occurring July 27 in Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
ESPN broke the news.
At first glance, it’s a bit surprising to see Edgar receive the title taken when Alexander Volkanovski only dominated Jose Aldo at UFC 237 and supposedly earned a title shot himself. However, the UFC needed a principal event because of its July card, and so Edgar gets the shot first, with Volkanovski likely serving as an emergency backup for the bout. Considering that the Holloway vs. Edgar pairing has flopped earlier, Volkanovski would be wise to remain ready for this date.
Holloway (20-4) recently moved up to lightweight and failed in his bid to become a double UFC champion when he lost a decision to Dustin Poirier in UFC 236. However he stays the UFC featherweight champion, and is now riding a 13-fight win streak at 145lbs. Though his striking defense and size was exposed as a lightweight against Poirier, moving back down to featherweight should be a good move for him as he looks to get back in the win column.
Edgar (23-6-1) is coming from a decision win over Cub Swanson last April and hasn’t fought because due to injuries. Most of us know that the UFC and Edgar’s director Ali Abdel-Aziz have a fantastic connection, which is likely why he got this title shot over the other featherweight contenders. Plus, remember Edgar did the UFC a favor when he awakened on short notice to fight Brian Ortega this past year and lost. Overall, the former UFC lightweight winner is 8-3 as a featherweight in the Octagon.
Although I am not convinced Edgar deserves this title shot, this is still an excellent fight, though there’s no doubt Holloway will be a big favorite, as he should be.
Anthony Pettis vs. Nate Diaz, UFC 241
In an exciting welterweight bout, Anthony Pettis takes on Nate Diaz at UFC 241, taking place August 17 in Honda Centre at Anaheim, California. The UFC has already confirmed this bout.
Pettis (22-8) recently moved up to welterweight and made the most of the chance as he pumped out Stephen Thompson in one of 2019’s finest KOs to date. Pettis has struggled with his consistency the past couple of decades, but he seemed revitalized against Thompson and perhaps this is the beginning of something great for him.
Diaz (19-11) has not fought since August 2016, when he lost a majority decision to Conor McGregor in the pair’s rematch. Prior to this, he’d won back fights over McGregor and Michael Johnson. Diaz has historically struggled while battling as a welterweight, though given the fact Pettis is also undersized for the branch, this looks like a fair fight.
Though Diaz matches well stylistically against Pettis, with the three-year layoff it is very hard to pick him to win , and I would peg Pettis as the favored due to his existing momentum.
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