Frankie Edgar issues statement on tough UFC 222 loss to Brian Ortega

If things had gone according to the original plan, Frankie Edgar would have challenged Max Holloway for the UFC featherweight title in the main event of last Saturday’s UFC 222 card. When Holloway was forced out of this fight with an injury, however, Edgar accepted a late-notice battle with surging contender Brian Ortega, putting his well-deserved title shot on the line in an incredibly high-risk move.

Unfortunately for Edgar and his fans, his featherweight title dreams were dashed yet again, as he was put down by an Ortega uppercut in the first round, which marked his very first stoppage loss.

On Monday morning, Edgar issued a classy statement on his tough loss to Ortega, promising that we have not seen the last of him.

Saturday did not go as planned, congrats to Ortega he definitely got me with some good ones. Thanks to all my peers, my team, my friends, and my fans for their nice words, they don’t go unnoticed. All I can do now is dust myself off and get ready to put it all on the line again.

— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) March 5, 2018

“Saturday did not go as planned, congrats to Ortega he definitely got me with some good ones,” Edgar said in his statement. “Thanks to all my peers, my team, my friends, and my fans for their nice words, they don’t go unnoticed. All I can do now is dust myself off and get ready to put it all on the line again.”

Frankie Edgar’s knockout loss to Brian Ortega marked the end of a two-fight win streak, composed of a decision win over Jeremy Stephens and a doctor stoppage victory opposite Yair Rodriguez. He’s now 22-6-1 overall.

What do you think the future holds for Frankie Edgar?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 3/4/2018.