Two of the UFC’s best featherweights, Chad Mendes & Frankie Edgar, will serve as the perfect appetizer to McGregor vs Aldo at UFC 194 when they collide at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale on December 11th.
MMAJunkie.com confirmed earlier reports stating that Edgar vs Mendes would in fact happen:
Brazilian website Lancenet first reported the booking, and MMAjunkie subsequently confirmed the contest with multiple people with knowledge of the booking who spoke in the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to publicly discuss such matters. Verbal agreements are in place from both sides, and bout agreements are expected to be finalized soon.
Not only did the UFC get the perfect two competitors to headline it’s event, the winner most likely receiving the next 145lb title shot, but they also made sure to have the event on the Friday before UFC 194. In the past the ‘TUF’ finale would follow the major PPV event and as we saw with McGregor-Mendes and UFC 189, there’s no more air left in the building.
The finale will now serve as the perfect set up for the next night’s events and hype everyone up for the PPV.