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24th November 2014
05:26pm GMT

Conor McGregor has never beaten a Cub Swanson. That is not to say that he couldn't, but he just hasn't. The biggest scalp on McGregor's record is Dustin Poirier who, although is supremely talented and a probable future contender, is also a little raw as a fighter. And, while he's a relatively big name in the division, he's not a Swanson or an Edgar, or even a Lamas.
The thing is, McGregor doesn't have to beat a Swanson to get a shot at Aldo. What brought McGregor this far is the manner in which he has won his fights and the way he markets himself. A first-round knockout is always going to draw more attention than a 25-minute pummeling followed by the latest submission in the history of the promotion.
While Edgar utilising his wrestling prowess over five rounds to make an exciting fighter look very mediocre is an intriguing watch for the purists, to the casual fans - the ones who put the meat in the seat, who buy PPV's, who the UFC rely on to turn a profit - it just doesn't compare to a lightning-quick finish by a charismatic, trash-talking Irishman.
The Notorious is also unbeaten in the UFC, which massively stands in his favour. He is the only fighter in the top five-ranked featherweights who hasn't lost to Aldo. Edgar has not only lost to the champ, he has lost three title fights since 2012. The young, up-and-comer with the sparkling record getting his first chance at becoming the world champion is an easier storyline to sell than the veteran getting his fourth crack at the whip.
A win against Siver and a massive Dublin stadium event headlined by McGregor v Aldo is almost a certainty. The UFC want it to happen, the fans want it to happen and to be honest, Frankie Edgar should also want it to happen.Regardless of the outcome of a potential fight between McGregor and Aldo, Edgar will almost definitely be next in line for the belt.
And, if McGregor manages to upset the odds and win, given what people have been saying about his propensity to dodge wrestlers, that fight might suit Edgar down to the ground. Literally.Explore more on these topics: