Manager reveals why Conor McGregor ducked Frankie Edgar
29.05.2020 08:39
McGregor, 19-3, won the featherweight belt at UFC 194, where he recorded a stunning first-round KO victory over Brazilian wrecking machine Jose Aldo.
The Irishman, 27, has yet to defend to his title, much to the annoyance of several top-ranked featherweights.
McGregor's first outing after acquiring the belt saw him suffer a shocking second-round submission defeat to Nate Diaz at UFC 196, which took in the welterweight division.
The UFC's decision to allow McGregor to fight outside of his weight class before he defended his title perplexed many, including Abdel-Aziz, who has claimed that the king of the 145-pound division is afraid of fighting 'The Answer'.
"I think the UFC wanted this fight," he told Starsport.
"We wanted this fight, but only one person didn't want it and that's Conor and his team.
"Because they are very smart people and they know what's the result of this fight and they want to give him more life. Like fighting at 170 and fighting at 155 and he's still the champ.
"If he fights now and he loses he becomes just a regular ordinary fighter in the UFC."
Edgar, 20-4, could get his hands on 'The Notorious' if he wins his interim-featherweight title fight with Aldo, which takes place at UFC 200 on July 9.
And Abdel-Aziz believes his man will dethrone the Dubliner when they finally lock horns with each other.
"Not taking anything away from Conor I think he's one of the best for modern MMA (but) I don't believe he is the best featherweight in the world," he added.
"I think guys in the division can beat him.
"I believe Frankie is on a different level. It's like the guy has a master's degree in fighting and guys are still in middle school. That's the difference between Frankie and Conor."
UFC 200 takes place at the brand new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 9.
(dailystar.co.uk)
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