Before Frankie Edgar, there was Ricardo Lamas.
Since his huge upset win over Hatsu Hioki back at UFC on FX 4, Ricardo Lamas has arguably been the number two ranked guy in the featherweight division, and it was Lamas who was apparently supposed to welcome Frankie Edgar to his new home at 145.
Lamas spoke today with Fight Club Chicago and went into detail about the whole ordeal. (Transcribed by MMA Recap).
“The UFC offered me a fight with Edgar in December and we had accepted. We were waiting to hear back from Sean Shelby on Edgar’s side. We accepted and were waiting for confirmation before we could announce it. This took place about two weeks ago but wasn’t signed.”
After Jose Aldo’s original opponent Erik Koch was forced to pull out of the UFC 153 title fight due to injury, the UFC originally went to Lamas first when seeking a replacement.
“They called me and said Koch was injured. They needed an answer that night if I would fight Aldo. Of course we said yes right away and got everything they wanted in order. Then around 9pm they called me back and said they decided to go a different direction.”
Eventually, the UFC decided to go with former lightweight champ Frankie Edgar as a replacement to fight Jose Aldo. Lamas, who wasn’t terribly thrilled with the news that he wasn’t getting the shot, understood the UFC’s choice.
“I was disappointed that I was out of the fight. I was excited for that fight. That’s an opportunity that guys wait their entire career for. It came out of no where so I can’t be super mad. I wasn’t promised for months and this came in last minute. I can see from the UFC’s perspective where it would be a better fight. he’s a former champ and more well known. Of course people want to see him fight Aldo over me.”
Lamas also revealed that he has been offered a fight sometime at the end of 2012, but couldn’t give a name or go into any detail.
Tagged with: Erik Koch, Frankie Edgar, Jose Aldo, Ricardo Lamas, UFC 153