Jose Aldo Thwarts Frankie Edgar, Wins Interim Featherweight Title

It’s not often that a title fight serves as the second bout on the main card of an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event, but that’s exactly what happened at UFC 200. Former featherweight ruler Jose Aldo (26-2) battled former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar (20-5-1) for the interim 145-pound strap.

Aldo kept his adversary at bay to take interim gold.

Edgar opened the fight with a leg kick. Aldo went to the body with a punch. “The Answer” went high with a kick, but his opponent was well out of reach. Edgar applied some pressure and ended it with a leg kick. “Scarface” avoided a takedown. A right hand connected for Aldo. He later landed a knee to the body. Aldo landed a shot to the jaw as Edgar charged in. He got in a kick to the body at the end of the round.

A body punch followed by a kick to the leg by Edgar got round two underway. A jab found its mark for “The Answer.” Aldo’s knee to the body was caught, but he shoved Edgar off. A right hand landed for Edgar. Blood trickled down the right eye of Edgar. A stiff right hand connected for “Scarface.” A switch kick was blocked by Aldo. Edgar caught Aldo’s knee, but was shoved off again as the horn sounded.

The third stanza began and Edgar landed a leg kick. Aldo thwarted another takedown attempt. Edgar pushed his opponent to the fence and landed some knees to the legs. They returned to the center of the Octagon. A right hand found the chin of “The Answer.” Aldo avoided a head kick and landed a leg kick to end the third round.

As the championship rounds began, it was clear that Aldo was in the lead. Edgar went for a single leg, but settled for a right hand over the top. “The Answer” kept moving and landed a left hook. A right hand connected for “Scarface.” Yet another takedown attempt from Edgar was stuffed. The two exchanged right hands. A stiff jab landed for Aldo and he caught Edgar off balance with another as the fourth round ended.

The final frame opened with a thudding leg kick from Aldo. A left hook from “Scarface” connected. Edgar blocked a high kick shortly after. “The Answer” landed a left hand. A right hand had Edgar off balance momentarily. Edgar tried to push forward, but would only find Aldo’s fists in his grill. A spinning heel kick attempt found air for “The Answer.”

The final horn sounded and the decision was obvious.

Final Result: Jose Aldo def. Frankie Edgar via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)