[UFC 112]: Invincible - Edgar: Penn Deserves Favored Position (10/04/2010)
The once-beaten Edgar will enter his UFC 112 “Invincible” co-main event against lightweight king B.J. Penn as a prohibitive underdog on April 10 at the Ferrari World Concert Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Edgar claims he does not feel slighted playing second fiddle to the popular Hawaiian.
“It’s earned. He’s earned the position he’s at,” Edgar said during a teleconference to promote the event. “If I want that position, I have to earn it myself. I’m not going into this fight to lose. Obviously, it’s a tough task.”
Penn has not tasted defeat as a lightweight since he dropped a unanimous decision to Jens Pulver at UFC 35 in January 2002. The 31-year-old has looked all but unstoppable since his return to the 155-pound division, as he has finished five consecutive opponents -- Pulver, Joe Stevenson, Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez -- under the lightweight banner.
“B.J.’s not somebody you can bring in someone to emulate,” Edgar said. “B.J.’s definitely one of a kind. I’m trying to get all my skills as sharp as possible. For me, it’s an honor [to fight someone like Penn]. It forced me to bring out my best in training. I feel like I’ve improved a lot having to prepare for someone of B.J.’s stature.”
Edgar will carry a three-fight winning streak into his first UFC title bout, which will take place nearly 7,000 miles from his hometown. The 28-year-old Toms River, N.J., native last appeared at “The Ultimate Fighter 10” Finale in December, when he submitted the previously unbeaten Matt Veach with a second-round rear-naked choke. The stakes will be considerably higher when he climbs into the cage against Penn, an opponent against whom few give him a realistic chance.
“The pressure to win is always strong for me,” Edgar said. “I’m feeling really good. Against B.J., you have to be good at everything. There’s no secret gameplan to beating B.J. Penn. I’ve got to be the best I can be on April 10. That’s the best way to approach it.”
