WATCH: Caraway favors Edgar over Faber at UFC Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Bantamweight fighter Bryan Caraway believes that Frankie Edgar will walk out victorious against Urijah Faber in their featherweight fight on the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s maiden Philippine fight card on Saturday, May 16.

Caraway stressed that the marquee match-up favors Edgar because the 33-year-old native of Toms River, New Jersey has already established his skill-set as a constantly-improving featherweight.

“It’s a tough fight to call, but skill-wise as a featherweight, Frankie can do it and go full five rounds to win by decision,” he told Rappler. “I don’t think Faber is going to win that fight, but we will see.”

“The Answer” is recognized for his sharp boxing combinations while utilizing his signature footwork and head movement that permitted him to stand toe-to-toe with the elite-level combatants like BJ Penn, Gray Maynard, Benson Henderson and Jose Aldo.

Edgar’s NCAA Division I wrestling background has translated well to mixed martial arts as he has more variety of takedowns in his arsenal and has superb top control to compliment his ground-and-pound.

An impressive win over Faber would cement his status as the next challenger against the winner of the championship clash between Aldo and Conor McGregor on July 11 (July 12 in PH).

Meanwhile, Caraway sees Faber’s transfer to the featherweight division as temporary in nature.

“I don’t think Faber is moving up really. It’s just another big opportunity to headline a card to be in the main event and probably to get more money and publicity,” he said.

Faber has not fought as a featherweight since April 2010 when he bowed down to Aldo for the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) title via lopsided decision that forced him to move down to bantamweight.

The 36-year-old “California Kid” was once a champion at the 145-pound weight class as he held the WEC featherweight belt for two and a half years and went on to successfully defend the title five times before losing it to Mike Brown in November 2008.

However, Caraway pointed out that his observation on Faber’s move to featherweight could change if he wins versus Edgar. 

If Faber claims an upset victory over Edgar, there is a possibility that he could be next in line for the UFC featherweight belt since he turned down the offer to face bantamweight titleholder and teammate TJ Dillashaw.

“If he beats Frankie Edgar, who knows? It’s Urijah Faber. They (UFC) gave him a lot of favors and gave him a lot of title fights. If he beats Frankie Edgar, that could give him a title shot,” Caraway stated.

– Rappler.com