Former lightweight champ Frankie Edgar will make his debut in the bantamweight division against Cory Sandhagen at UFC Raleigh.
Frankie Edgar appears to have a date and opponent set for his bantamweight debut. First reported by ESPN, ‘The Answer’ is being targeted to face Cory Sandhagen at UFC Raleigh this January. The bout will be a three-round affair, serving as the co-main event of the Fight Night card.
The UFC has not officially announced the pairing. However, Edgar’s move to 135lbs has been talked about for months, with only a brief flirtation with Conor McGregor suggesting he might end up elsewhere.
With McGregor targeting a January return as well, against a handful of possible opponents including Cowboy Cerrone, it appears Edgar will instead take his title pursuits to a third weight class. The former UFC lightweight champion last fought in July, where he battled it out with featherweight champ Max Holloway in a losing effort at UFC 240.
Edgar (22–7–1) is 3-2 in his last five fights, with the other loss a shock knockout at the hands of Brian Ortega last year. He has wins over Jermey Stephens, Yair Rodriguez, and Cub Swanson since a 2016 defeat to Jose Aldo for interim gold at UFC 200. Edgar also lost to Aldo in 2013, in his first attempt at winning a belt in a second weight class.
A run at the 135lb title will likely be Edgar’s final chance to become a double champ in the UFC.
Cory Sandhagen (12-1), meanwhile, remains undefeated in the UFC to date. Winner of five straight in the promotion, and seven straight overall, he’s picked up key wins over John Lineker and Raphael Assuncaso.
UFC Raleigh takes place January 25, 2020 at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC.
