Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes Differ on Whether to Wait For a Title Shot

Frankie Edgar and Chad Mendes spoke today (via MMAjunkie) about their fight at TUF Finale 22 and more. Check out the highlights:

Edgar on whether he’ll wait for a title shot if he wins: “I’m not getting any younger; I don’t plan on waiting. I don’t think I’ll be fighting any lesser competition. I don’t think there is any lesser competition; I think all the guys are hammers right now. Any fight is going to be a tough fight at this point in my career.”

Mendes on whether he’ll wait if he wins: “It doesn’t make any sense if you win a fight and you have the opportunity to fight for a title to do anything else. I’m here to fight the best guys in the division, and I want to be the champion. I would definitely wait.”

Mendes on the stakes of the fight: “This is a fight, in my opinion, that’s going to cement the true No. 1 contender. I felt like that when I got in there and fought against Lamas, and that was a fight that pushed me right back in line. I feel like the winner of this fight should be right back in line for it whether it’s me or Frankie. Obviously, I’ve fought Aldo twice and Conor for the fake belt. But you beat a guy like Frankie, who’s been on a tear, you have no choice but to give the guy that wins that fight a title shot, in my opinion.”

Edgar on the possibility of a title fight for the winner: “I don’t think you can guarantee anything. Speaking to (UFC President) Dana (White), he pretty much said he doesn’t know what’s going to happen with Aldo and McGregor. Barring a barnburner between those guys, I think the winner of our fight should get the next title shot, especially with me coming off five straight wins over top-notch guys. But nothing’s guaranteed, and I’m not banking on anything.”