Max Holloway proves he’s still the featherweight king in defeating Frankie Edgar

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JASON FRANSON / THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS

Max Holloway, with the Hawaiian flag in his grasp, got his hand raised as his opponent Frankie Edgar applauded during UFC 240 in Edmonton, Alberta, on Saturday.

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“The Answer” didn’t have one for Max Holloway.

Holloway’s return to 145 pounds brought back the dominance he has shown over the past six years, as he extended his winning streak to 13 at featherweight with a unanimous decision over Frankie Edgar at UFC 240 on Saturday night in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Two judges scored the fight a 50-45 shutout and the third had it 48-47 for Holloway (21-4, 17-4 UFC), who lost his last fight in April challenging for the 155-pound interim title.

Back at 145 where he hasn’t lost since a decision against Conor McGregor in August 2013, Holloway was never threatened against Edgar, a former UFC lightweight champion nicknamed “The Answer.”

Holloway successfully defended all but one takedown attempt by Edgar and kept the fight standing, where the smaller Edgar couldn’t get through clean against Holloway, who used his reach advantage to dominate.

The Star-Advertiser scored the fight 49-46 in Holloway’s favor.

“Everybody said I wasn’t going to be able to wrestle with this guy,” Holloway said inside the cage after the fight. “Everybody said I wasn’t going to be able to stay with his pace. I wanted to prove a point and go five rounds with him and let the world know that I am here to stay.”

Five inches taller than his opponent, Holloway peppered Edgar throughout the fight with his jab and kept Edgar at bay.

Blood started leaking from Edgar’s nose in the first round and he struggled to close the distance and get inside Holloway where he could do any damage.

Now 37, Edgar (22-7-1, 17-7-1) said he isn’t done fighting.

“I expected everything he brought,” Edgar said. “Max is a stud, man. He represents our sport to the best. He is the best guy in the world.

“I’m not done. I got a lot of fight in me. Max is tough and I fought him pretty damn tough.”

Holloway improved to 5-0 in title fights at 145 pounds, which is tied for the second-most wins without a loss in a single division in UFC history.

Holloway used an uppercut to take the advantage in the first round and his jab in the second, which ended with Holloway landing a spinning back kick to the body of Edgar that backed him into the cage.

Edgar scored his only takedown at the end of the third round and got his best strikes in standing in the fourth.

Holloway closed out the fight with an impressive final five minutes, easily avoiding Edgar’s big punches and takedown attempts.

Edgar made his UFC debut in 2003 when Holloway was 16 years old. His career includes three wins over B.J. Penn, two in title fights.

“Frankie is a true warrior,” Holloway said. “He is the guy who inspired me to be here.”