Ultimate Fighting Championship

Frankie Edgar vs. Urijah Faber main event for UFC debut in Manila

Published Feb. 11, 2015 8:00 p.m. ET

Damon Martin

The main event for the UFC's first trip to the Philippines is set as former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar faces Urijah Faber in a five-round bout at 145 pounds on Saturday, May 16.

UFC officials confirmed the bout to "UFC Tonight" on Wednesday night after rumors about the fight first surfaced on Tuesday.

For Faber this means a return, at least temporarily, to the featherweight division where he reigned as champion during part of his career with World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).

It's been nearly five years since Faber last fought at 145 pounds after dropping to bantamweight following his loss to Jose Aldo in 2010. While it's likely this bout is just a chance for Faber to face one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the UFC, a win could help him make another run at some other top featherweights as well.

Edgar takes the fight following an incredible 2014 in which he finished B.J. Penn in the veteran fighter's last bout before retirement and then bludgeoned Cub Swanson for nearly five rounds to pick up another victory over a top-five opponent.

Now, Edgar will travel to Manila to take on the fighter who is recognized as one of the first true legends of the lighter weight divisions.

With a win, Edgar positions himself for another shot at the featherweight title against the winner of the upcoming bout between Aldo and Conor McGregor.

More matchups for UFC Fight Night from Manila are expected to be announced in the coming days.

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