It’s looking like 2013 is set to be the year of the super fight, the matching of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the octagon against each other.
The UFC is starting off the year with former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, who has moved down to the featherweight division, facing champion Jose Aldo, who is looking for his fifth title defense in a row. They meet on Saturday night to complement Superbowl Sunday, completing the annual sports holiday that is this weekend.
As expected, Aldo is favored but Edgar’s chances should by no means be discounted. We haven’t seen Edgar fight at 145 and his trainers claim that, as a small fighter, he should have been at 145 all along. Edgar was undersized against all of his lightweight opponents. His success at 155 is purely a testament to his level of skill. He will now fight someone his size and speed, the lightning fast and powerful Jose Aldo.
Aldo’s dominant finishes are something to be feared by potential opponents. His quickness and athleticism put him in the ranks with Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva. A win on Saturday may put him above them. Aldo could be the first of the top pound for pound fighters to beat another.
Aldo’s highlights speak for themselves. As with GSP and Anderson, it’s tough to bet against him. We’ll find out if 145 is truly where Frankie Edgar belongs.
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