Frankie Edgar Looking To Return By Spring

Former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar was supposed to challenge UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway for the gold at UFC 218, but withdrew from the bout due to a facial injury.

The fighter is now claiming that his injury is healing and the expected time for a return to action is going to be this spring.

“He said we’re just figuring out – this is after this weekend’s fight – we’re just waiting to see what’s next,” Edgar said on The MMA Hour. “I think March or April sounds good, so one of those dates I imagine we’ll set it up.”

Edgar is expected to challenge for the title when he does return, which if his time frame is on point, could mean UFC 222 or UFC 223.

Something that concerns Edgar is that featherweight champion Max Holloway continues to improve with each fight, but he still expects to win the gold in the end.

“I think he’s all that he’s cracked up to be and the fact that he’s so young and keeps getting better every fight is scary almost,” Edgar said. “But that also motivates me. I still feel like I’m at the top of my game. Max is the future, but I’m still here, I’m the present and I want to get this title shot and get what’s mine and become a two-weight champion. That’s been my goal since I came down to ‘45.”

Jose Aldo stepped in for Edgar at UFC 218 and he was finished with strikes in the third round by Holloway.