Max Holloway Opens as a Favorite Against Frankie Edgar for UFC 218

Now that the bout that we said was slated for UFC 218 is official, we can finally start drooling over Frankie Edgar fighting Max Holloway for real. It’s an incredible match-up and a true test for the new featherweight champion. Jose Aldo is the only man in the division who has ever beat Edgar, with Holloway being one of the only guys he hasn’t fought yet. It’s a fight that needs to happen and gets to happen exactly at the perfect time. The early odds released for the title fight in Detroit have Max Holloway edging out Frankie as the favorite.

Per @MMAOddsBreaker, Max Holloway will open a -205 betting favorite over Frankie Edgar (+165) in their 145-pound title fight at UFC 218.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 4, 2017

“In Frankie Edgar, UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway finally faces an opponent who can go toe-to-toe with him for five rounds. At just 25 years old, Holloway’s striking has become elite, finishing stand-up specialists Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis in his last two fights. Edgar is one of the most well-rounded MMA fighters of all time, balancing excellent boxing technique with stellar wrestling. The outcome of this fight will likely come down to Edgar’s takedowns because Holloway’s two most convincing losses both came on the canvas. If Edgar can put Holloway on his back, he can win. If the fight stays standing, I think Holloway eventually pulls away from Edgar just like he does with everyone else. Edgar is also 10 years older than Holloway, so that is likely a big factor here. I’m opening Holloway as a -205 betting favorite with Edgar being a +165 underdog.” — Nick Kalikas from MMA oddsmaker explaining the betting line.

It’s hard to believe that Max Holloway never stepped into the cage with Frankie Edgar during his 11-fight win streak. Another fighter that Edgar never got to fight in the featherweight division was Conor McGregor. Almost writing the so-called wrongs of the Irish double-champ, Max Holloway not only gives Edgar his third shot at 145-pound gold, but defends his title against the rightful number one contender. If Holloway walks out still carrying his belt at UFC 218, there will be no doubt that we’ve truly entered the “Blessed” era.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 10/4/2017.