Sherdog’s Top 10: American Mixed Martial Artists

9. Frankie Edgar

The ultimate underdog in many regards, Edgar has excelled in multiple weight classes while carving out a resume worthy of hall-of-fame consideration.

Edgar laid claim to the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight title at UFC 112 on April 10, 2010, when he upset the legendary B.J. Penn and took a five-round unanimous decision from the popular Hawaiian. He then tightened his grip on the championship by outclassing Penn more decisively in their UFC 118 rematch a little less than five months later. Edgar successfully defended the belt in two subsequent meetings with Gray Maynard, the first a dramatic five-round draw, the second a fourth-round knockout. Benson Henderson dethroned Edgar in February 2012.

After Henderson turned away Edgar in their rematch, “The Answer” downshifted to 145 pounds. The Toms River, New Jersey, native has gone 5-2 since -- only Jose Aldo has beaten him -- and fought for a piece of the UFC featherweight title on two occasions. Edgar’s ledger now includes three wins over Penn and other high-profile victories against Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes, Cub Swanson and Charles Oliveira.

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