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'I'm not even 30% right now' - Edgar

Frankie Edgar's rematch against Gray Maynard has been postponed © Getty Images

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Frankie Edgar has revealed that a back injury was the reason behind his withdrawal from UFC 130.

Edgar was set to take on Gray Maynard on May 28, but the clash was removed from the card after both fighters suffered injuries. But despite popping a rib at the weekend, Edgar insists it was bulging disks that disrupted his lightweight title defence.

"All of the reports are talking about my ribs, (but) it's actually my back," Edgar told UFC.com. "My back's been bothering me for quite some time. A few weeks ago, I had to take a week off so that my back could calm down, and I was trying to fight through it. I got through it, and it kept blowing out on me here and there, but then I ended up blowing out a rib last week.

"My rib kept popping in and out, and then last week, my back went out on me really bad. So I went to see a doctor, and he said I've got bulging discs, and now I'm going to go see a specialist to see what he can do about it."

Despite enduring serious discomfort, Edgar intended to fight through the pain, although he admits he is not even at 30 per cent fitness.

"I was planning on going through with the fight with the back injury," he said. "I didn't want to postpone the bout at all. I feel like I lost the fight right now. I'm very depressed about this whole situation.

"I'm sure in a couple of days I'll realize I did the right thing by going to see a doctor. It's not fair to myself, to Gray, it's not fair to the fans to take a fight like this. I mean, I'm never 100 percent healthy when I step in the Octagon anyway but this is something different. I'm not even 30% right now."

A third meeting between the pair could take place in August or September, but Edgar, who had back surgery as an 18-year-old with wrestling injuries, admitted he could be out for some time.

"I don't know how long I'll be out," he stated. "I'm hoping surgery won't be an option right now. I'm hoping I can rehab it and get better and get back to training in a month, but I can't give you any solid answer right now as to how long I'll be out."

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