Mendes Fought McGregor For Fake Belt, Wants Title Shot With Win Over Edgar

In just over a week’s time, the UFC’s featherweight division will be on full display with its biggest and most exciting fights going down within a three day period.

Of course all eyes are on the massive and long-awaited title unifier between dominant champion Jose Aldo and interim champion Conor McGregor which will main event UFC 194 on December 12, 2015 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but that’s not all.

Just one day prior on December 11th, top contenders Chad “Money” Mendes and Frankie “The Answer” Edgar will do battle in a fight that could very well determine the next challenger to the 145-pound crown.

“Money” was actually given the chance to meet McGregor for the interim title last July at UFC 189 when Aldo suffered an injury, but he came up short, losing by way of second round knockout to the Irish superstar.

In Mendes’ eyes, he fought the “Notorious” one for a “fake” belt, and feels as if a win over a former champion in Edgar should warrant him another title shot:

“Frankie is a guy who is right there at the top, you know? This is a fight, in my opinion, that is going to cement the true No. 1 contender,” Mendes told MMAFighting.

“I feel like the winner of this fight should be right back in line for it, whether it’s me or Frankie. Obviously I’ve fought Aldo twice, and Conor for the fake belt. But if you beat a guy like Frankie who’s been just on a tear, then you have no choice but to give the guy who wins that fight a title shot, in my opinion.”

Like he mentioned, Mendes has indeed lost to Aldo twice, and of course McGregor once, but “Money” has also remained atop the divisional rankings, constantly proving that he belongs there.

Edgar on the other hand, has rattled off four-straight wins since losing to “Scarface” in 2013. A win over Mendes should be enough to receive a title shot many feel as if he has already earned.

How do you picture the 145-pound division after the weekend of December 12th is over?