war wagon.
.
"if you really look at what pound-for-pound means, you cannot deny that Frankie Edgar is No. 2," White said. "The guy weighs 145 pounds and he's beating guys at 155 pounds. He beat a guy who had him out of it. A guy who many believed had his number. He knocked him out tonight. I'm telling you man, I've never seen any s--- like that in my life."
White said he jumped out of his chair at Edgar's comeback, which saw him rally from a horrific start, during which he was nearly KO'd.
"It's an honor," Edgar said. "Anytime you're boss thinks you're doing work and excelling in the same light as those guys, it's a big honor. But the reality is, it's opinion based. That's his opinion. Your opinion might be different. But for me, I still got to go in there and fight."
Still, White made mention several times of his belief that Edgar should move down to featherweight, where he would almost certainly receive an automatic title shot.
"Did you see the size difference between those two tonight?" White said. "I've been telling him for a long time he should fight at 145. I'm not his dad or trainer. That's his decision. He's a grown man and knows what he's doing."
When later asked to elaborate on his opinion, White said it wasn't a question of performance but long-term health. White said he believed Edgar could have a longer career at a lower weight class because he would not be facing bigger, more powerful strikers.
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UFC 136 Photos
Mike Massenzio def. Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
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UFC 136 Photos
Mike Massenzio def. Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Mike Massenzio def. Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 136 Photos Mike Massenzio def. Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 136 Photos
Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Darren Elkins def. Tiequan Zhang via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
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UFC 136 Photos
Darren Elkins raises his arms after his fight against Tiequan Zhang at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
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UFC 136 Photos
Darren Elkins tries to choke out Tiequan Zhang at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
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UFC 136 Photos
Tiequan Zhang attempts a guillotine choke on Darren Elkins at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
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UFC 136 Photos
Darren Elkins ground and pounds Tiequan Zhang at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
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UFC 136 Photos
Anthony Pettis def. Jeremy Stephens via split decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Anthony Pettis fights off his back against Jeremy Stephens at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Anthony Pettis tries to take down Jeremy Stephens at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Jeremy Stephens receives advice from his corner at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Joey Beltran charges at Stipe Miocic at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Stipe Miocic (right) throws a punch at Joey Beltran at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Demian Maia collides with Jorge Santiago at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Demian Maia throws a left hand at a kicking Jorge Santiago at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Stipe Miocic def. Joey Beltran via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 136 Photos Joe Lauzon def. Melvin Guillard via rear-naked choke in 47 seconds at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Joe Lauzon attempts a rear-naked choke on Melvin Guillard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Joe Lauzon def. Melvin Guillard via rear-naked choke in 47 seconds at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Melvin Guillard trades strikes with Joe Lauzon at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Joe Lauzon attempts a rear-naked choke on Melvin Guillard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Joe Lauzon chases after the stunned Melvin Guillard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Melvin Guillard shows his excitement to fight Joe Lauzon at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan punches Leonard Garcia at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan punches Leonard Garcia at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan receives corner instructions at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Leonard Garcia clashes with Nam Phan at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 136 Photos
Leonard Garcia wants more of Nam Phan at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan punches Leonard Garcia in the body at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 136 Photos
Leonard Garcia charges Nam Phan with punches at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 136 Photos Leonard Garcia charges Nam Phan with punches at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan raises his arms after his fight against Leonard Garcia at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan def. Leonard Garcia via unanimous decision at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan is overjoyed with his win over Leonard Garcia at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Fight of the Night winners Nam Phan and Leonard Garcia talk to Joe Rogan at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen controls Brian Stann on the ground at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen climbs the back of Brian Stann at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Brian Stann listens to his corner between rounds at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen mounts Brian Stann on the ground at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen lifts Brian Stann for a slam at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen submits Brian Stann with an arm-triangle choke at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen walks away after submitting Brian Stann at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Brian Stann looks down in defeat at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen def. Brian Stann via submission at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen calls out Anderson Silva at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Kenny Florian and Jose Aldo meet to touch gloves before their fight at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 136 Photos
UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo chases a stunned Kenny Florian at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 136 Photos Jose Aldo throws a punch at Kenny Florian at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Jose Aldo lands a shot on the body of Kenny Florian at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Kenny Florian throws a leg kick at Jose Aldo at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Jose Aldo throws a punch at Kenny Florian at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 136 Photos
Jose Aldo lands a front kick on Kenny Florian at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Jose Aldo connects with a right hand on Kenny Florian at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 136 Photos Kenny Florian throws a front kick on Jose Aldo at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Jose Aldo performs a backflip off the cage after his fight against Kenny Florian at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Jose Aldo def. Kenny Florian via unanimous at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Frankie Edgar is ready to face Gray Maynard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Frankie Edgar meets Gray Maynard in the center of the cage before their title fight at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 136 Photos
UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar tries to take down Gray Maynard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard tries to finish Frankie Edgar at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard throws a headkick at Frankie Edgar at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard lands a flying knee on Frankie Edgar at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Frankie Edgar connects on a left hand on Gray Maynard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard receives corner instructions at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard tries to maintain a distance from Frankie Edgar at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard charges towards Frankie Edgar at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Frankie Edgar throws a punch at Gray Maynard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard tries to clinch with Frankie Edgar at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Frankie Edgar rocks Gray Maynard en route to his KO win at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 136 Photos
Frankie Edgar stumbles Gray Maynard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Frankie Edgar finishes Gray Maynard with left hands at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Frankie Edgar finishes Gray Maynard with left hands at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Frankie Edgar celebrates his KO over Gray Maynard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Frankie Edgar plays to the camera at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 136 Photos
Frankie Edgar celebrates his successful lightweight title defense with his team at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 136 Photos Vanessa Hanson was the guest Octagon Girl at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Joey Beltran walks off in disappointment after his loss at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Anthony Pettis wants the armbar against Jeremy Stephens at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Melvin Guillard exits the cage after losing to Joe Lauzon at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther LIn, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Joe Lauzon walks back to his locker room after his upset win over Melvin Guillard at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Nam Phan and Leonard Garcia raise their arms after their fight at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Chael Sonnen exits the cage after beating Chael Sonnen at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Kenny Florian leaves the cage after his loss to Jose Aldo at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 136 Photos
Jose Aldo celebrates his successful featherweight title defense with his team at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
- UFC 136 Photos Gray Maynard walks to his locker room after suffering his first career loss at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 136 Photos Frankie Edgar wears his belt out of the cage at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
"I don't think the guys who don't fight out their weight class and fight a weight class above them and take damage can have longevity that other fighters have," he said. "When you fight with guys your own size, you don't take the punishment that you take when you fight bigger guys. The weight classes are there for a reason."
He also said Edgar would set his own course.
, and it still comes up.
"Here I am. I'm the champion," he said. "It's definitely a nice option to be able to go down and possibly fight at 145 in the future, but I'm comfortable right now. I could talk some ideas over with Dana and Lorenzo [Fertitta] and see what they think, but I'm comfortable at 155. I'm the champion. I don't see any reason to go anywhere."
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