News hit last night that Frankie Edgar unfortunately had to drop out of his title fight with Max Holloway at UFC 218 because of a facial injury that requires surgery. Immediately there was an incredible swarm of fighters coming out to try and take advantage of Edgar’s misfortune. Cub Swanson was the first on the buzzer, hoping to avenge his loss and finally get a chance at gold. Both Jose Aldo and Ricardo Lamas have also expressed interest in leaving their fight together at UFC Winnipeg to potentially capture Holloway’s UFC featherweight title. His management just released a statement of the names in consideration, but stress that the champ is down to fight anyone.
“When you become the champ the right way, the division is cleaned out. Choices are limited but we’ll fight anyone. Cub [Swanson], [Brian] Ortega, [Tony] Ferguson, Conor [McGregor]. We’re just waiting on the call. Respect to Frankie Edgar who truly deserved this fight and wishing him a speedy recovery.” — Brian Butler-Au, founder of Suckerpunch Entertainment, from his official Instagram.
Whoa, Tony Ferguson and Conor McGregor? Does this mean that Max Holloway is willing to fight at lightweight for UFC 218? Either one of those fights would be huge, potentially even bigger than the initial match-up. While they don’t seem likely, if anything these last couple of years in the UFC has taught us, it’s that anything can happen.
It’s also interesting that Jose Aldo wasn’t included in the list but Brian Ortega has a spot. While he’s not as big of a name as the others, Ortega has been undefeated for seven years aside from a no contest and has been knocking on the door for a title shot for some time now. Hopefully, there will be an announcement soon. UFC 218 is set to take place on December 2nd in Detroit Michigan.
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 11/9/2017