UFC 240: Pros predict Max Holloway vs. Frankie Edgar

EDMONTON, Alberta — In the midst of a dominant featherweight title run, Max Holloway looks like a safe bet even against the most accomplished opponent he’s faced outside of Jose Aldo.

But a quick survey of their UFC peers will tell you that Frankie Edgar shouldn’t ever be counted out. Edgar, a former lightweight champion, challenges Holloway for his belt in the main event of UFC 240 on Saturday at Rogers Place.

At media day on Thursday, several fighters spoke to MMA Fighting to break down the matchup, including two-time welterweight title challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.

“A lot of people are taking Max Holloway because of the height, the reach, he’s the champion,” Thompson said. “Frankie Edgar, I know when I look at him he’s put on some muscle and you can’t take that guy lightly. You cannot take Frankie Edgar lightly. He’s looking to close the gap, obviously, to try and take him down. I think it’s going to be very difficult for him to do that against somebody as skilled, especially a well-rounded striker as Max Holloway is.

“You saw against his last opponent, even the one before that when he was defending the title, his striking is getting better and better. I hate predicting fights because it’s so up in the air, you have no idea what’s going to happen. My last fight, for example, I was beating Anthony Pettis. I remember getting up out of the first round like his nose was broken, he’s bloody, and then I don’t remember anything.

“It’s just gonna be an amazing fight. If it was me out there especially if I was Frankie Edgar, close the gap, maybe try and get him up against the cage, try and tire him out just a little bit, lay on him if I can. Then again, it’s going to be very difficult for him to close that gap on Max Holloway.”

Also chiming in was one-time welterweight title challenger and a veteran of 26 UFC fights, Thiago Alves, who was in Edmonton to support American Top Team fighter Krzysztof Jotko in his matchup against Marc-Andre Barriault this weekend.

Alves went as far as to say that he thought Edgar could pull off the upset.