Former UFC lightweight world champion Frankie Edgar has just been promoted to third degree BJJ black belt by his long-time coach Ricardo Almeida. The two men actually competed in the UFC around the same time, as Almeida fought in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions there between 2008 and 2011. Edgar on the other hand has had a much longer professional MMA career and he made his UFC debut all the way back in 2007, eventually becoming the lightweight world champion in 2010.
Since losing the lightweight title in 2012 Edgar has moved down in weight, competing at featherweight from 2013 to 2019 and then competing at bantamweight after that point. While Almeida retired with a 13-5 MMA record in 2011, Edgar is still fighting as recently as 2022 and his record currently stands at 24-11-1. Edgar has taken part in some of the most memorable fights in UFC history and he’s one of only a handful of fighters who are pretty much guaranteed a place in the UFC Hall of Fame when he officially retires from the sport.
Edgar started out his combat sports career with wrestling, a sport he competed in at the highest levels during his journey through high school and college. He was an NCAA Division I competitor for several years, and only made the transition to MMA once he had left college. Although he’s known for using his elite wrestling to achieve success in the cage, Frankie Edgar has also worked hard for almost two decades now to develop a high level of BJJ as well and his newfound status as a third degree black belt is definitely well-deserved.
Ricardo Almeida shared the news that Frankie Edgar had been promoted to third degree BJJ black belt in a recent post to his official Instagram account. Edgar himself also shared the news and made the following statement:
“What a way to start the week. I walk in to the pleasant surprise of Ricardo Almeida being in town for training but on top of that he gave me my 3rd degree on my black belt! My martial arts/athletic career has been amazing and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Very grateful for the support and guidance Ricardo gave to me all these years in reaching my potential. Forever grateful”
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