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At 35 years old and with nearly 12 years of prizefighting under his belt, Frankie Edgar knows how the game works. Hes seen flashy featherweight phenom Yair Rodriguez dazzle fans and destroy opponents, and in the fight world, guys like that eventually step up to face a name, a former champion who isnt 25 anymore but is still highly-ranked and dangerous.

Edgar gets it. Hes that opponent for Rodriguez at UFC 211 on May 13. But the unbreakable New Jersey native is typically unbothered.

I kinda keep it moving, he laughs. I dont really look too much into things. Ive got a job to do and thats all I focus on.

RELATED: Go inside the matchup numbers for Edgar vs Rodriguez|Buy tickets to UFC 211 in Dallas, Tx.

But the former UFC lightweight champion, who is currently ranked second in the world at 145 pounds, does know that a win over him takes Rodriguez into a new stratosphere.

Id be stupid not to suspect that, at least, Edgar said. Its kind of win-win for them. This guy beats me, he catapults up the rankings, but if I beat him, theres no loss for him because he really wasnt supposed to win. So I feel like its a good way to get his name out there, but Im looking at it in a different way. Im like a vampire Im gonna go get some of that young blood and steal some of his fans.

Edgar laughs, clearly at ease before a critical fight in his career. Two fights removed from a UFC 200 loss to Jose Aldo in a bout for the interim featherweight title, Edgar kept his high ranking with a UFC 205 win over Jeremy Stephens in November. So with a victory over Rodriguez, he could be looking at another title shot this one against the winner of Junes bout between Aldo and Max Holloway - as long as that winner is Holloway, as its not likely that hell get a third crack at Aldo.

I think Im always going to be knocking on the door for a title based on what Ive done and who I am, Edgar said. But yeah, I think Holloway would have to win for me to get that next title shot. Im not one to root for it, though. Things will play out the way they do and if they dont, so be it. Ever since I lost that title in 2012, Ive been gunning for it, and you lose sight of whats in front of you at times. So right now, I just want to worry about whats next, keep fighting and stay busy.

My goal was always to be the best, he said. I didnt want to be second best. I was second best many times in my wrestling career, I came up short quite a few times in the UFC and it stings. I tell my kids, when you do something, you do it to fulfill your best potential and be number one. And thats always going to be my goal, but Im not dwelling on it as much as I used to. Dont get it twisted I still want to be the best fighter I can possibly be, but Im just living in the moment.

That means one hundred percent focus on Yair Rodriguez, an ultra-talented fighter who looks like he has all the tools. But at 24 and with just 12 pro fights, is he ready for Frankie Edgar?

I dont know, Edgar laughs. I dont think he knows. Its definitely a big step for him, and were gonna find out on fight night for sure. But no matter what, hes gonna have a bright future in this sport, being so young and being where he is right now. But there are levels to this and sometimes you cant get to the next level until you see whats in front of you, and I still feel like Im still the man. I had that hiccup against Aldo, it wasnt my best performance. I felt I rebounded nicely against Stephens and Im still one of the best fighters at 145 and Im gonna go out and show Yair what its all about.

In Frankie Edgars 11th pro fight, he defeated former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk. Two fights later, he was a world champ himself. He hasnt forgotten that night.

He (Sherk) was a former champion, was in there with Matt Hughes and BJ (Penn), so I knew once I was able to get it done and get my hand raised against him that theres no reason why I cant be a champion.

Edgar insists he wont give Rodriguez that same opportunity in Dallas.

There could be damage coming my way in this fight, and good thing I handle it well, he laughs. Not that I want to go in there and take any damage. I like to go in fights and walk away nicely, but Im willing to get busted up to get it done, and if thats what it takes, so be it.

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