The UFC Featherweight Title Picture

First off, I want to say that this post is taking nothing away from from Cub Swanson. He is a true warrior, with tons of heart.

I made a post last night about how Dustin Ortiz was very game, but he was in over his head fighting the #2 flyweight in the world. (give him a year or two to continue to develop & you might see a different result in a rematch)

I said that there was a clear difference in experience & speed between Benavidez & Ortiz last night, and that the UFC had thrown Ortiz into the deep DEEP end of the pool too soon. He rose to the occasion, but wanting to do well just wasn't enough for him.

Now I'm not saying this is the case with Cub in last night's fight... BUT, Frankie Edgar made it LOOK like Swanson was in over his head.

Cub works his ass off & earned that win streak... but (like I said about Ortiz facing Benavidez) Frankie was just the wrong fighter at the wrong time for Swanson.

Frankie seemed to have come in with a chip on his shoulder because of how the UFC & Dana White weren't mentioning him by name in terms of getting a title shot if he won like they did for Swanson.

I had gone on record saying I thought Cub could win by TKO/KO in the 2nd (even though Frankie had never been finished) but that IF CUB didn't finish it early Frankie would win the fight.

When I saw Edgar do his usual "Run to the Octagon" entrance I knew that "The Answer" was going to play spoiler to Swanson's title shot dreams.

Last night Frankie Edgar would not be denied, and it's a shame that Cub Swanson was in his way because Cub is definitely a top tier featherweight. Swanson wasn't out-classed that night... but he was out-worked.

Frankie's DOMINANT performance proves that he is legitimately in the conversation for a title shot, especially when you consider he feels (like many people do) that he won that first fight with Aldo.

The problem with Frankie getting the next title shot is that there's a long time between last night & when Jose Aldo will be ready to defend the Featherweight belt - and in between then Conor McGregor is going to fight.

We saw how Rory MacDonald missed out on his promised title shot because he had an unimpressive performance in his win... and later Robbie Lawler defeated Matt Brown in an Epic battle to move ahead of Rory in the line for a title shot against Johny Hendricks.

Is it possible that Conor could do what Lawler did and leap-frog his way to a title fight with Jose Aldo? The answer is "yes". Will some people say that it will be unfair to Frankie? That answer is also "yes".

I should mention at this point that I am a big fan of Frankie, but I am also a HUGE fan of Conor. There is no denying Frankie secured legend status with that win last night... but the Conor McGregor buzz is reaching freight-train momentum.

You have to admit Conor McGregor is a dream come true for the UFC. MMA promotions NEED stars like a Conor McGregor to thrive. When he fights the entire Republic of Ireland (and possibly even Northern Ireland) basically shuts down as they support their countryman. A promotion eats that kind of loyalty to a fighter because it translates to butts in the seats & PPV buys. For Conor's last fight (which was in Las Vegas) over 10% of the crowd attending the event flew in from Ireland just to see Conor fight. The UFC credited the success of that event to Conor & the people who supported him by either attending the event live or watching it on TV.

Even though I am on the McGregor bandwagon, I am also on record as saying that sometimes the UFC will sign the fight they can hype the most instead of matching up the best fighter with the champion to decide who really is the very best in the division at that point in time. I'm not saying that Conor isn't as deserving as Frankie if McGregor defeats Dennis Siver in January... but I'm sure there will be many who will say that, even if Conor wins very impressively.

Bottom line is that the UFC Featherweight division is STACKED and there are a number of legitimate contenders to challenge the champion for the title. Frankie Edgar has staked his claim on a title shot... and next will be an opportunity for Conor McGregor to make a better claim on that title shot... unless Dennis Siver also plays spoiler - which is also possible in a division as deep as this and two warriors enter a cage wearing 4oz gloves.