The Great Frankie Edgar
Modern Era Wing · Class of 2024
From Toms River to the Hall of Fame
Before the belts and the banner nights, Frankie Edgar was just a kid from Toms River who refused to be outworked. A standout New Jersey wrestler, he took his first mixed martial arts fights in 2005 on unsanctioned shows; MMA wasn't even legal in New York yet. There was no real money in it and no titles on the line. There was only the fight, and that was enough.
Five years later he was champion of the world. In April 2010, Edgar walked into UFC 112 as a heavy underdog against the great BJ Penn and left with the UFC Lightweight Championship, then silenced every doubter by beating Penn even more decisively in the rematch. His trilogy with Gray Maynard became the stuff of legend: knocked down, battered, seemingly finished, and somehow always coming forward, until it was Maynard who fell.
Over 17 years in the UFC, "The Answer" fought champions in three divisions, never took a step backward, and made his final walk at Madison Square Garden at UFC 281 in November 2022. In 2024, the UFC made it official: Frankie Edgar, Hall of Famer, Modern Era Wing.
And then he came home. The same fighter who wouldn't stay down is on the mats in Toms River today, teaching kids and adults the discipline, toughness, and heart that built one of the greatest careers the sport has ever seen.
First MMA fights: unsanctioned shows, no purse, all heart
Wins the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 112
The Maynard trilogy: down early, champion by the end
Final walk at Madison Square Garden, UFC 281
UFC Hall of Fame, Modern Era Wing
"I'm gonna run in because the emotions are definitely gonna take a hold of me and emotions are like fire. The fire's in me and I can't lose it."
Watch The Answer at work
Top Finishes: Frankie Edgar
The Edgar–Maynard Trilogy
Edgar vs Maynard 3: Full Fight
Videos courtesy of the official UFC YouTube channel.
A career by the numbers
Career statistics as published by the UFC.
Wins by knockout
Wins by submission
First round finishes
Striking accuracy
- Sig. strikes landed
- 1,801
- Sig. strikes attempted
- 4,451
Takedown accuracy
- Takedowns landed
- 67
- Takedowns attempted
- 232
Sig. str. landed / min
Sig. str. absorbed / min
Takedown avg / 15 min
Submission avg / 15 min
Sig. str. defense
Takedown defense
Knockdown avg
Average fight time
Sig. str. by position
Sig. str. by target
Win by method
More on The Answer
UFC Athletes Discuss Frankie Edgar's Legacy
Fighters across the roster reflect on The Answer before his final walk at UFC 281.
(opens in new tab)Frankie Edgar's Legacy Inspires The Future Of MMA
Volkanovski, Poirier, Chandler and more on what Edgar's career meant to theirs.
(opens in new tab)Forever Frankie Edgar
A look back at an iconic career across three divisions.
(opens in new tab)Frankie Edgar Still Feels The Fire
Motivated as ever, Edgar pushes toward the top of the bantamweight division.
(opens in new tab)Photo Gallery: Frankie Edgar Trains For UFC 268
On the mats in New Jersey ahead of his bout with Marlon Vera.
(opens in new tab)Bonus Résumé: Frankie Edgar
The greatest hits from The Answer's bonus-winning nights.
(opens in new tab)All featured content opens on UFC.com.
Hall of Famers aren't born. They're built.
Frankie built his career one round at a time, and now he's building the next generation on the mats at Iron Army Academy. Come train where the Hall of Famer teaches.
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