Champion Edgar Embraces Underdog Role in Penn Rematch

In April, Frankie “The Answer” Edgar surprised the mixed martial arts world by taking the UFC lightweight championship from B.J. “The Prodigy” Penn via a unanimous decision at UFC 112.

Now, as Edgar and Penn prepare for the rematch that serves as the main event for UFC 118 on Aug. 28 at the TD Garden in Boston, Edgar still doesn't see himself as the man to beat at 155 pounds.

"I'm the champ, but this is another great fight and it's another new fight," said Edgar during a conference call Thursday to promote the event. "This is another new challenge for me and it's just the same as it was before I won the title. I've been the underdog in my last three or four fights and I seem to perform well in this position, so I don't mind it at all."

Not only does Edgar -- who trains at Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu and has won four straight fights -- not see himself as the favorite going into his fight against Penn, he said he's preparing to fight a legend of the sport.

"I still hold (Penn) in high regard and he's still the greatest lightweight of all-time, even if I did beat him," said Edgar, who holds wins over former UFC lightweight champ Sean Sherk, Tyson Griffin and Hermes Franca among his 12 victories. "It's good to have a chance to fight him. He's brought the best out of me before and I still feel that way. Iron sharpens iron and B.J. does that for me."

All this being said, the 28-year-old Edgar said he will be carrying a lot of confidence into his rematch with Penn, who is one of just two fighters -- Randy Couture being the other -- to win UFC titles in two different weight classes.

"When you prepare for somebody like B.J., you have to gear up for a hard fight," said Edgar. "But naturally, throughout my experience with the sport, my confidence has grown more and more. When you beat somebody like B.J., it's going to make you more confident. When you know you can go in there and compete at that level, it's a big boost."

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, the 31-year-old Penn has secured 12 of his 15 career victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission. His loss to Edgar was his first as a lightweight in more than eight years. Victories against Matt Hughes, former Pride Fighting Championships lightweight titleholder Takanori Gomi, two-time UFC title contender Kenny Florian and “The Ultimate Fighter” season one winner Diego Sanchez anchor his resume.

Penn has been a professional MMA fighter since May 2001, but said he is still learning, even from the loss to Edgar.

"I'm not a big film guy, so I haven't watched the first fight much," said Penn. "I think I won the fight, but I didn't perform well enough. Still, I took a lot from the first fight. (Edgar) actually did some things I've added to my arsenal. No matter whether I win or lose, I'm constantly learning. I don't want this sport to pass me by. I keep thinking how to tweak things a little bit."

Penn said the loss to Edgar will make him a better fighter, not just for the rematch at UFC 118, but in the future as well.

"When I started, I thought I was God's gift to fighting and (would) go 100-0 with 100 knockouts," said Penn. "Sometimes it's hard to believe that I have six losses, but each loss put me on a different path and was a new part of my journey. I do believe if I won (against Edgar), I'd have changed nothing and set myself up to fall harder in the future. Now, I can take something from it and make myself a better fighter."

Speaking of the future, Penn said he wants to stay as busy as possible, whether he beats Edgar or not.

"(Losing to Edgar) made me realize I want to fight as much as I can," said Penn. "After I fight Frankie, I want to fight the next week or the next month if I'm not hurt or there isn't a suspension. I'm not sure if feel a biological clock ticking or what, but I want to keep fighting as much possible. I want to be a true fighter who fights as much as possible. I don't want to say I'm all about the money, but I would like to make some money while I'm doing it, though."