5 reasons why Frankie Edgar deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame in the UFC is reserved for fighters who have left their indelible mark on the sport and former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar fits that mold.

The prerequisites required to transcend into the UFC Hall of Fame are not explicitly defined by the organization. While the UFC has an FAQ on the matter, still, much of what determines a UFC Hall of Fame athlete can be a subjective rabbit hole.

What makes the discussion so unique and tantalizing is that we, or the mixed martial arts community, have a say in which fighters ought to be inducted into one of MMA's most sacred ceremonies.

The UFC Hall of Fame is a celebration of athletes from different eras. Founded twenty-eight years ago, the company has become such a driving force in athletics that a UFC Hall of Fame became necessary. With Frankie Edgar's storied career entrenched in octagon wars and title fights, he is a no-brainer when it's time for another induction ceremony.

Here are 5 reasons why Frankie Edgar deserves a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame.

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#5. Frankie Edgar defeated legend B.J Penn to secure lightweight gold

At UFC 112, Frankie Edgar was paired against lightweight champion B.J. Penn. At the time, Penn still had an aura of carnage about him. Prior to his first title fight with Edgar, Penn nailed down back-to-back finishes against Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez. Following the two contests, it became crystal clear just how dangerous Penn was at this stage in his respective career.

After Frankie Edgar narrowly got past the lightweight champion, many thought the result was controversial. While that doesn't change the gold that Edgar wore around his waist, the Hall of Fame worthy fighter would prove it wasn't just a fluke performance. A little over four months later, the two were scheduled to meet once more to render a decisive victory.

At UFC 118, Frankie Edgar put a stamp on his lightweight title with his first lightweight defense. 'The Answer' defeated Penn by unanimous decision in 2010. This victory would be without controversy unlike their first fight. Frankie Edgar would utilize his wrestling skills throughout the course of five rounds and leave no questions about who won the fight unanswered.

Given the accolades of B.J. Penn and the time in which Frankie Edgar fought 'The Prodigy' to win a world title, the former lightweight champion can certainly make a strong claim as to why he deserves a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame.

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#4. The longevity of Frankie Edgar

Frankie Edgar's illustrious career is astounding considering how long he has been fighting professionally. Cutting his teeth on the New York/New Jersey regional scene, Frankie Edgar earned his first MMA victory in 2005. During his time in the UFC, aside from earning a title in a weight class that he was undersized in, Frankie Edgar never sat idle.

Just like his fighting style, 'The Answer' always looked for the biggest challenges during his ongoing UFC tenure. In 2013, the former champion faced José Aldo in a 145-pound title fight. The bout served as Edgar's UFC featherweight debut. While he came up short on solutions to the Brazilian's offense, the fight earned the two combatants 'Fight of the Night' honors.

Following a painful loss to Aldo, Frankie Edgar rebounded with a decision win over current 155-pound champion Charles Oliveira. Even in his twilight years, Frankie Edgar appears to be more than capable of hanging with the elites of any division he chooses to compete in.

Still, at the age of 40, the now-bantamweight is fighting top contenders. The longevity of Frankie Edgar is rare. Edgar earned his lightweight title in 2010 and remains a threat in any of the three divisions he's competed in to this day.

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#3. Frankie Edgar has been successful in three different weight classes

Despite his unfortunate debut against Aldo, Frankie Edgar still established himself among the elite at featherweight. After his first loss to Aldo, Edgar rattled off a 5-fight winning streak equivalent to a murderers' row. After finishing Cub Swanson, and Chad Mendes en route to another showdown with Aldo, Edgar looked almost unbeatable.

But once again, Aldo would send him back down with a pool of hungry contenders. One contender in particular was eager to test his skills against Edgar, and that was Yair Rodriguez. While 'El Pantera' entered the fight with a ton of hype behind his flashy style, Frankie Edgar put on a workman-like performance on the up-and-comer.

After establishing feints and the threat of a takedown early on, Rodriguez struggled to adapt to Edgar's frenetic pace. 'The Answer' would find the solution as he scored just a single takedown against Yair Rodriguez. After putting Rodriguez on the mat it was all academic, and Frankie Edgar won the fight via doctor's stoppage TKO in round two.

Taking his talents to 135-pounds in 2020, Frankie Edgar had a successful debut against top-ranked Pedro Munhoz. The fight was razor close, but Edgar got his hand raised with his boxing and crafty movement in the end.

While Edgar has struggled at bantamweight recently, the veteran has still found success in three different weight classes. Based on his success and willingness to fight regardless of weight, Frankie Edgar deserves a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame.

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#2. Frankie Edgar successfully defended his title three times

As the saying goes, it's much easier to earn a UFC title, than to defend it. First, Frankie Edgar defeated B.J. Penn to become UFC lightweight champion. After successfully thwarting Penn in his first title defense, Edgar was tasked with facing Gray Maynard. The pair of lightweights are known for having one of the most tantalizing rivalries in UFC history.

Seeking a second defense of his 155-pound gold, Edgar went to war against Gray Maynard. The bout was a rematch, and at the time Maynard was the only man to ever defeat Frankie Edgar in an MMA competition. In one of the most epic 'Fight of the Night' showings, the two lightweights fought to a draw and Frankie Edgar retained his 155-pound strap.

Of course, unfinished business needed to be addressed. With two title defenses under his belt, 'The Answer' closed out the rivalry with a bang. After the two went back and forth in a bloody chess match, Frankie Edgar knocked out Maynard in the fourth round.

Despite the recent shortcomings in the octagon, 'The Answer' has become a UFC enigma.

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#1. Frankie Edgar has the most fight time in the UFC octagon

On the one hand, fighters are not paid by the hour, but without experience, evolution is impossible for a UFC caliber athlete. Frankie Edgar holds the UFC record for most fight time inside the octagon. The former champion has been on the receiving end of many decisions, however, those were also taken as opportunities to grow his craft.

The former lightweight champion has been in the octagon for a total of seven hours, forty minutes, and fifty-one seconds (7:40:51). While that record time continues to expand, it's not by mistake that Edgar has found success despite staying in the kitchen longer than most.

Frankie Edgar is a seasoned veteran. The former lightweight champion has won thirteen bouts by decision during his MMA tenure. With a mindful approach to striking, Edgar's cage experience is a unique quality that very few fighters possess at this point. With the amount of time Edgar has spent in the cage, a nickname like 'The Answer' seems apt.

While the UFC Hall of Fame has yet to add Frankie Edgar, B.J. Penn has already earned the distinction. With an incredible record filled with gold belts and rivalries, Frankie Edgar would make a fine addition to the UFC Hall of Fame.

Do you think Frankie Edgar has earned a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame?