Today it became known that Conor McGregor (link is external) next-vs. Nate Diaz (link is external) in connection with the injury to Rafael DOS Años (link is external). UFC President Dana white stated that within a few hours they picked opponent for Conor and made offers to several fighters, including Frankie Edgar (link is external). According to white, Edgar refused due to injury. In an interview with MMA Fighting Frankie commented on the situation.
"I called my Manager and was told that Rafael injured, says Frankie. — The UFC was interested in whether I should fight Conor at lightweight. But I was injured four weeks ago. I was mad for several reasons. I am pissed off from what again lost the opportunity. I tried to fight with this guy for many months. Previous four weeks, I absolutely couldn't do. I had one break from inguinal muscles. I sent in the UFC the results of magnetic resonance examinations."
"I'm more furious words Given that I refused to fight, this shit. Just because they asked does not mean that they were going to give me this fight. In July they asked if I 15 days to go to UFC 189, I agreed, but did not receive a match. I think, if I answered "Yes" and this time, they still would give the fight to Nate Diaz. I think they originally wanted to organize the fight with Nate. They contacted him before he contacted me. But now Dana says that I refused to fight. Maybe he is going to use this in the future to tell me: "you had an opportunity and you refused". I thought that over the years have always shown loyalty to the organization. I was a good boy for them, but they pushed me under the car with words that I refused to take the fight. If I was healthy enough, then of course I would have accepted this fight".
"My team also upset about the situation. The UFC gave this guy to hold the belt at Featherweight and easy to climb, and now he's fighting at Welterweight. They say that he'll rise in the light-Middleweight division. It's a circus. The letter "C" in the word means the UFC Conor (Conor — approx. ed.). This guy runs the show. I don't think I ever will fight with him at Featherweight. May be only in the lung. For many years they told me that they don't want me to fight at lightweight. Now they offer me to take the fight with McGregor at lightweight ten days before the match. This is ridiculous. If they believe in Conor, let me fight him at Featherweight and full of damn camp. I know that he would take this belt myself."
"Cowboy, too, offered her candidacy. Why didn't they chose a Cowboy? He was in good shape, just after training camp. He has no injuries. And they choose Nate Diaz, who can't even make a light weight but he's actually been training lately? They chose a guy who is probably not ready to fight. Why not choose in this situation a Cowboy? Looks quite suspicious to me."
