Mendes: I fought McGregor 'for the fake belt'

Chad Mendes is hoping that the fourth time's the charm.

The featherweight division's perennial bridesmaid has fallen short in three separate chances to capture 145-pound gold, losing twice to longtime champion Jose Aldo before failing to capture the interim title to Conor McGregor at UFC 189 in July.

Instead of taking a soft touch to get back on track, Mendes will face former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar at the TUF 22 Finale next week, with the winner likely vaulting himself to the front of the line at 145 pounds.

"Frankie is a guy who is right there at the top, you know? This is a fight, in my opinion, that is going to cement the true No. 1 contender," Mendes told MMAFighting.com's Shaun Al-Shatti.

"I feel like the winner of this fight should be right back in line for it, whether it's me or Frankie. Obviously I've fought Aldo twice, and Conor for the fake belt. But if you beat a guy like Frankie who's been just on a tear, then you have no choice but to give the guy who wins that fight a title shot, in my opinion."

Edgar, conversely, knows that there are no guarantees in MMA, and as such, plans on staying active until a title shot is an absolute certainty.

"Speaking to (UFC president) Dana (White), he pretty much said you just don't know what's going to happen with Aldo and McGregor," Edgar said. "Barring a barnburner between those guys, I think the winner of our fight should get the next title shot, especially with me coming off five straight wins over top notch guys. But again, nothing is guaranteed and I'm not banking on anything.

"I'm not putting a date on anything. I feel great. I don't feel like I'm getting older. It's just the fact that time is ticking and I don't want to sit around and wait for anything. I do want to stay active, I want to make money. I feel like I'm getting better as I go along, so I don't want to be sitting dormant at all."