BreakOut Fighter – UFC Lightweight Champ Frankie Edgar a Consumate but Willing Underdog

By Jeff Sasser

Photo - Mike Calimbas

The next BreakOut Scout “Breakout Fighter” of 2012 stems from what I believe was the most amazing story of last year’s fight game and you should look for his dominance to continue.  Last year it was a true “Rocky” story that shows heart and determination are still the most resilient parts of a fight and when a fighter possesses the true meaning of hunger and a never quit attitude the outcome is a BreakOut Scout “Breakout Fighter.”  Frankie “The Answer” Edgar has risen from the underdog status to be yet another underdog.  And, though he continues to surprise MMA fans, he just never seems to be able to have majority rule on pre-fight predictions.  Think about this.

At the Toyota Center in Houston, TX on October 8, 2011, there was an unbelievable roar from the crowd as an uppercut landed to the jaw of the challenger rolling his eyes back for a second as he caught his footing long enough to see the champion charging in for a finish.   The crowd enthralls a series of screeching cheers as another right from the champion lands on the challenger; a left then another right buckles the challenger as his legs give out.  The challenger reaches down with his hands to catch his fall as his face plants into the canvas.  He pushes up to try to awaken his senses yet the champion had no intent on allowing this fight to go on.  His killer instinct took over as his eyes could only see the gold and his heart pounded with the blood of championship DNA.  Frankie Edgar landed one, two, three left hands to the jaw of Gray Maynard before his lights went out and the spotlight shined a golden streak as he stood in the center of the Octagon with his hands raised in a “Rockyesque” style.  Frankie Edgar had fulfilled his destiny; he had proven to himself, and to so many others that he is a true champion among champions.

Now, Edgar again prepares for one of the toughest opponents in the UFC who has an acknowledged history of evading submission attempts from some of the best in the business.  Benson Henderson is also able to stand and strike with most and even the shot heard round the world against Anthony Pettis could not finish him.

Before discussing the Benson Henderson fight we can finally assure that Gray Maynard is behind him and Sergio Non from USA Today asked Edgar, “How much of a relief was it to finally put Gray behind you?  It was good. Obviously, if I had an arch-nemesis, it would be him. My loss and draw — the only blemishes on my record are Gray, so it was finally good to get him back.

The fashion in how it ended – the other fights were decisions and I was finally able to put him away, I think that helped get the weight off my shoulders. Because no one could say, “Oh, it was a close fight,” or “Oh, they should fight again, right away.” It was definitely a knockout win; no one could dispute that.”(usatoday.com)

Photo - Dan Herbertson

Fast-forward to UFC 144 and we realize that the preparation is a little different.  Edgar’s opponent is on a mission and we have seen Benson Henderson improve with every fight specifically against Clay Guida and most importantly his victory over Jim Miller both of whom could be in Henderson’s position today.  Sergio Non with USA Today again asked the Champ “What’s the difference in preparing for Ben compared to training for BJ or Gray?  Ben’s just — I think he’s a very, very good athlete. Not that those guys weren’t; he’s just a different kind of athlete. He has flexibility and good BJJ like BJ, (and) his wrestling is good like Gray and his size is pretty big too.  He kicks a little more than both those guys, so that’s going to be something that’ll be a little different for me.”(usatoday.com)

Henderson has walked through some of the best in the world but many believe Edgar may truly be the “Answer.”  Though still an underdog, I believe Edgar will prove to be one of the top 3 Pound for Pound Best Mixed Martial Artists in the world with a victory over Benson Henderson at UFC 144, thus making Frankie Edgar one of my picks for BreakOut Scout “Breakout Fighter” as we see him continue his dominance in 2012.

We look to find out what he plans to do against Henderson as Edgar has been able to stupefy most of his opponents with speed, movement and pace.  We look again to Sergio Non from USA Today who asked, “You’re known for your ability to keep up a high pace for five rounds, but Ben has a good motor himself. What’s the likelihood of you wearing him down?  I don’t know. … I’m going to fight my pace. I know I can fight five rounds hard. I’m sure he can too.

But it’s not about who can fight the hardest. It’s about who can fight the hardest and the smartest at the same time, and remain technical. That’s my goal. I want to stay efficient during the whole fight and remain with a clear head and the same technique as I did when I started the first round.”(usatoday.com)

Henderson is incredibly difficult to finish having evaded many amazing chokes.  Edgar responds concerning Henderson’s resilience and submission defense, “Maybe he’s got gills or something (that) he breathes out of, I don’t know.  But yeah, he is tough to put away. That’s something I’m aware of. I would love to be the guy to submit him and put him away, but I’m going to get the win however I can.”(usatoday.com)
 

 

Written By:

Jeff Sasser

The BreakOut Scout

“If you’re a champion, you have to have it in your heart.”

–Chris Evert

This fighter shows heart and determination through the direst circumstances to reset and prevail as defeat stares him straight in the face.  It is his intense training and deep unyielding passion and an inspirational drive to be a champion that makes this fighter a special interest to his fans and to the fight community.  A BreakOut Scout “Breakout Fighter” trains mentally, physically and spiritually to be his best and never leaves the cage with anything less than an effort that leaves everyone in awe.  He continues to boggle the mind and inspire the will of those who witness his fights.  A BreakOut Scout “Breakout Fighter” is a Champion in mind, body and soul and is a fighter you should be completely aware of because watching a BreakOut Scout “Breakout Fighter” is nothing short of spectacular.

References:

Non, Sergio. Frankie Edgar: “Its not about who can fight the hardest.’ USA Today, A Division of Gannett Co, Inc., A Gannett Company. Retreived on February 20, 2012 from http://www.usatoday.com/sports/mma/post/2012-02-13/frankie-edgar-its-not-about-who-can-fight-the-hardest/626224/1