A UFC legend's bold call: 'I'm out' - Why Frankie Edgar wants Alex Volkanovski to retire now.
In a recent interview, UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar sparked a debate with his intriguing take on the future of featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski. Edgar, who has witnessed the rise of Volkanovski, sees both greatness and a warning sign in the Australian fighter's latest performance.
Volkanovski successfully defended his title at UFC 325, defeating Diego Lopes in a unanimous decision. This victory, in front of his home crowd in Sydney, solidified his dominance in the division. However, Edgar believes that now might be the perfect moment for Volkanovski to retire at the peak of his career.
"I'd love for Volkanovski to announce his retirement, to leave as the champion," Edgar told MMA Junkie. "In this sport, very few get the chance to exit on their own terms, and he's in a unique position to do so."
Edgar, who has experienced the fine line between staying competitive and overstaying his welcome, understands the challenge. He attempted a similar move in 2013 after a title shot, but it didn't pan out against the legendary Jose Aldo.
"I was trying to achieve what Volkanovski has now," Edgar admitted. "His success shows that it's possible, and that's inspiring for many fighters."
Volkanovski's win has reignited the GOAT debate in the featherweight division, a discussion Edgar believes is nearly impossible to settle.
"Picking the GOAT in any weight class is tough," Edgar said. "In my era, it was Aldo, without a doubt. Now, it's Alex. But comparing them is tricky because they fought at different stages of their careers."
Following his latest victory, Volkanovski expects to face one of the division's top contenders, Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy, in his next title defense. Edgar believes that defeating either or both of these young contenders would further solidify Volkanovski's legacy.
"If he can beat these younger fighters, it will show just how dominant he was," Edgar explained.
But here's where it gets controversial... Another former UFC title challenger, Kenny Florian, believes Evloev could be Volkanovski's toughest test yet. Florian suggests that Evloev's wrestling style and conditioning could pose problems for the champion.
On the other hand, Lerone Murphy is confident he's the one to dethrone Volkanovski. After UFC 325, Murphy expressed his belief that he could have defeated Volkanovski, stating, "I've seen weaknesses that I would've exploited."
So, will Volkanovski retire as the champion, or will he face these challengers and continue his reign? And this is the part most people miss... It's not just about the fights; it's about the legacy and the impact these decisions have on the sport.
What do you think? Should Volkanovski retire now, or is he still the undisputed king of the featherweight division? Let's discuss in the comments!
