Ex-UFC champion Frankie Edgar has revealed a surprising truth about who delivered the hardest hits during his storied career, and it wasn't the widely discussed opponents like Cory Sandhagen or Chito Vera. After 13 years of competing across three weight divisions – lightweight, featherweight, and bantamweight – culminating in a three-fight KO skid, Edgar’s insights offer a nuanced perspective on the most impactful strikers he faced. Edgar’s career spanned 36 fights, with only five stoppages, two of which involved Sandhagen’s devastating flying knee and Vera’s highlight-reel front kick. However, Edgar’s assessment reveals a different story, pinpointing Gray Maynard as his toughest puncher.

During their iconic trilogy, Maynard relentlessly pressured Edgar, nearly securing finishes in multiple encounters. Their first fight in 2008 nearly ended with Maynard’s victory, and their rematch concluded in a draw after three knockdowns. Edgar ultimately rebounded with a TKO victory at UFC 136 in 2011. Edgar stated, "[Hardest] puncher would probably be Gray." He continued, "I mean, Chad Mendes probably hit pretty hard," acknowledging Mendes’ power, but also noting that he wasn’t significantly impacted by his strikes. Edgar decisively defeated Mendes in the first round of their featherweight bout in 2015.

Regarding kickers, Edgar identified Mendes as a particularly dangerous opponent, recalling a brutal leg kick that forced a quick response. He emphasized the importance of countering such attacks, as opponents recognized Edgar’s vulnerability. He also mentioned the memorable up-kick by Benson Henderson, which shut him out 2-0 in their title fight series. While Jose Aldo never rocked him, Mendes’ kicking prowess was undeniably a significant threat.

Edgar’s most recent and arguably most shocking KO came at the hands of Cory Sandhagen in February 2021 at UFC Vegas 18. Sandhagen secured a 28-second knockout with a flying knee, a moment that visibly affected the veteran fighter. Nine months later, Edgar faced Chito Vera at UFC 268, where Vera delivered another highlight-reel knockout with a front kick to the face, marking a poignant end to Edgar’s legendary MMA career. Edgar’s reflections provide a fascinating look into the challenges he overcame and the opponents who truly tested his mettle, demonstrating that power isn’t always about the most talked-about names, but rather the impact a fighter has on an opponent’s game plan."