BAHRAIN yesterday clinched its fourth world title in mixed martial arts (MMA) with Khalid bin Hamad MMA (KHK MMA) professional fighter Frankie Edgar winning the UFC-TUF 22 title in Las Vegas.
Edgar stopped Chad Mendes with a vicious combination midway through the opening round, winning his fifth straight fight.
Edgar (18-5-1) absorbed a handful of early kicks before abruptly staggering Mendes (17-4) with a right and flooring him with a left. Edgar celebrated after referee John McCarthy stopped the fight which angered Mendes, who thought he could have continued.
“I always prepare for battles,” Edgar said. “I always get my mind right that I’m going to walk away with a bloody nose and stitches. It was nice to walk out of there unscathed and with a KO.”
Frustrated
The former UFC lightweight champion had been frustrated by his inability to get a shot at Aldo since his drop to 145 pounds.
After his third stoppage victory in four fights against big-name competition, UFC president Dana White confirmed Edgar is next in line.
“Nobody can deny Frankie anymore,” White said. “He looked amazing tonight, and he’ll get whatever he wants.”
Although Mendes fell awkwardly from Edgar’s blow, he was angry that he didn’t get a chance to recover in his first fight since losing an interim lightweight title shot against McGregor in July.
First deputy chairman of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and president of Bahrain Athletics Association Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa , who attended the final, congratulated His Majesty, noting that Bahrain had established itself in the global arena thanks to His Majesty’s support.
Shaikh Khalid also congratulated the government led by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.
Shaikh Khalid paid tributes to King’s Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth Sports chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa for his constant support.
He also lauded the outstanding performance of Edgar, and thanked the technical and administrative staff of KHK MMA and wished them further success.
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