Dana White thinks there’s something wrong with Frankie Edgar’s training methods.
Former UFC Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar was set for his third and likely final shot at the UFC Featherweight belt this Saturday when he cracked his orbital bone bone in sparring and was forced to withdrawl three weeks ago. Former Featherweight champion Jose Aldo will step in to face champion Max Holloway on Saturday and look to reclaim what the young Hawaiian took from him.
During a media scrum on Tuesday, UFC president Dana White commented on the injury and seemed less than understanding.
“My question for Frankie – and I haven’t talked to Frankie yet, Frankie is in Russia or something right now, I think – but how do you break your orbital in training? Unless it was a freak knee to the eye in wrestling or something like that,” he said.
“Who’s hitting you that hard in your training camp that you break your orbital? That’s insane. Anybody know the answer to that question?”
Dana White did express satisfaction at Aldo stepping up to replace Edgar. During his reign, the Brazilian was known for demanding long camps and pulling out of fights with injuries, so his accepting Holloway on short notice was a bit of a surprise. Dana even credited Aldo for the sudden boost in UFC 218 ticket sales.
“You know what’s funny? So, the Detroit show is on par to sell out. We’re selling out,” White said. “The show’s going to be a sellout. You know when you’re going to sell out because of how many tickets you have left and how many days. We put Jose Aldo on the card, and- tickets. Yeah.”
“We’re going to find out how hungry Jose Aldo is and how bad he wants that belt back. He’s getting this opportunity because Frankie fell out. Life is all about jumping on those opportunities. I actually liked it that Aldo wanted this fight like that. It’s awesome. I’m excited. I’m excited for that fight.”
UFC 218 takes place this Saturday, December 2nd, in Detroit, Michigan. The main event will either cement Hollway’s position as the 145- pound king and one of the pound for pound best in the world, or reinstall Aldo atop the Featherweight heap and confirm his status as one of the best ever.
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