Former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar suffered a first round knockout loss to Brian Ortega in the co-main event of UFC 222.
Ortega was a late replacement for the injured UFC Featherweight Champion In Max Holloway, but still managed to be the first person to ever knock Edgar out in the Octagon.
Despite the loss to Ortega, a lot of respect was given to the former lightweight champion, with featherweight champion Max Holloway leading the way on Twitter:
You had nothing to gain from taking that fight @FrankieEdgar. But you took it you defended what you already earned. There’s no belt for sacrificing everything but true fans and Jersey knows no belt can outshine what you bring to the sport. Chin up bratha
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) March 4, 2018
UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor also gave his two cents on the matter, but wishing it was him instead of Ortega who knocked out Edgar:
Frankie's career deserved for that to be against me tonight.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 4, 2018
Respect Frankie.
Love and respect always!
A true fighters fighter
McGregor made some waves a few weeks back when the lightweight champion claimed he was ready to fight Edgar on short notice, which UFC President Dana White confirmed during a UFC 222 post-fight press conference.
Edgar hasn’t announced any future plans at this time and it is unknown when the former lightweight champion will step back into the Octagon.
