It hasn't been a good week for Frankie Edgar, nor has it been an easy past couple of months for "The Answer." The former lightweight champion has been clamoring for a dance with 145-pound champion Conor McGregor and when opportunity knocked, he was unable to take the bout due to a torn groin.
Edgar ultimately went ranting and raving about the situation, more specifically, how UFC president Dana White tried to play it off like he refused it. White, though, has tons of respect of the New Jersey native -- like he does Jose Aldo -- which is why the big boss man sent Edgar a text during the week to try and quell his anger.
From White's conversation with MMA Fighting:
"I sent him a text. 'What are you mad about, what are you screaming about?' I called and offered you the fight. You couldn't take the fight. Whether you're hurt or not; you turned it down. This is a business of opportunity? When opportunity pops up, some people take it and some don't. Yes, you're injured, but you know, a lot of guys are injured. Don't get mad at me because you got the phone call and couldn't take the fight."
With the rate at which McGregor's opponents have been getting injured, you would've thought Edgar might be on standby as he was for the Irishman's title-winning effort against "Junior" back in December.
But alas that was not the case. Former lightweight title challenger Nate Diaz is now in the driver's seat and ready to brawl with "Notorious," now that his previous opponent, 155-pound champion Rafael dos Anjos, has been shelved.
Seems like it's going off without a hitch.
Diaz and McGregor will bring plenty of middle fingers and loyalists to Las Vegas so they can witness the emotionally-charged UFC 196 pay-per-view (PPV) main event on Sat., March 5, 2016. Will you be watching?
For more UFC 196 news and notes click here.