Frankie Edgar says Siver broke his heart, thankful for McGregor bringing excitement to the division

When Dana White announced, that Conor McGregor would receive an immediate title opportunity in case of a victory over Dennis Siver at UFC Boston, critics have been very vocal about their opinion that the brash Irishman might have been pushed too soon. After only five fights in the UFC, many people felt that others have earned their shot a lot more. Others like former lightweight title holder Frankie Edgar.

Edgar challenged champion Jose Aldo for the belt in his featherweight debut in February 2013, but came up short on points in what has been a Fight of the Night performance. He has racked up three straight victories since and would have received another chance against Aldo, if McGregor lost.

Well, McGregor won, and he won in impressive fashion again, stopping the German kickboxer in the second frame of their main event fight in Boston, MA last Sunday. After being announced as the winner, McGregor immediately jumped out of the cage and got in the face of champion Aldo, who attended the event live in the first row. Only seconds after the fight between the two became reality, McGregor made it a fight that everybody wants to watch - for one reason or another.

That is exactly why Frankie Edgar, the man who arguably suffered most from McGregor's recent win, besides Siver, says he is "thankful" for the Irish and his antics. He told FOX Sports:

"Siver just broke my heart, but McGregor looked sharp. Conor's bringing excitement to the division. All of us need to thank him. I don't want to thank him for taking my title shot, but he's earned it. Aldo is a different animal. He has the speed and the length. But McGregor was able to get up quickly after being taken down. Now we know about that."

(Transcription via mmamania.com)

Edgar now has to wait and most likely face another opponent before earning his rematch at the 145-pound kingpin. The question is who. Both two other top-three featherweight contenders, Chad Mendes and Ricardo Lamas, are set to face each other on April 4th, at UFC Fight Night 63.