Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo fight news 2015: Frankie Edgar waiting in the wings

[photo: Commons Wikimedia/Jemaleddin Cole]

Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo are set to finally face off this coming Dec. 12 for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 194. Barring any untoward injuries, the tiff should be something to watch with both fighters expectedly hating each other's guts.

It will be recalled that both protagonists would have faced off at UFC 189 had Jose Aldo not pulled out due to a rib injury, which he sustained during training. With Aldo out, Chad Mendes was chosen to pick up the slack despite the shortage in time to prepare against the Irishman.

Mendes did make a good account of himself at that time until a costly move allowed McGregor to take advantage of an opening en route to a win.

Edgar, a former lightweight champion, will ironically face Chad Mendes at The Ultimate Fighter 22 finale set for Dec. 11. That tiff could be changed in the event that either McGregor or Aldo succumb to an injury and Edgar is pretty confident that he will be the eventual replacement.

"If someone gets hurt, I'm the guy stepping in, and that's from Dana White. You can print that in bold letters," says Edgar via UFC.ca.

For Edgar, it is not about the money but about winning the title once more.

"I want that title. That, to me, is the most important thing. Connor may be the money fight, but when you win a title, that stays with you forever. Money comes and goes. You're a champ for the rest of your life. I did it at 155 and I want to do it at 145," he added.

With regards to the two fighters set for UFC 194, Edgar knows Aldo pretty darn well. Back in 2013, Edgar lost a close five-round decision in the 145-pound weight class. Since then, Edgar has strung up four straight victories.

Edgar will be bringing that momentum in December, officially against Mendes, although a chance at the UFC title could also be in the midst.