The third fight between Edgar and Maynard got off to an explosive start and had an even more explosive ending Saturday night at UFC 136, with Edgar winning by fourth-round knockout after nearly getting knocked out himself at the start of the fight.
It was the third fight between the two great lightweights, and the first one Edgar won. Maynard beat Edgar in 2007, and the two of them fought to a draw on New Year’s Day this year. Now Edgar has finally beaten Maynard and eliminated any doubt that he’s the best lightweight in the world.
“This ain’t easy fighting someone three times,” Edgar said afterward. “Gray forced me to bring the best out of myself.”
Maynard busted up Edgar’s face in the first round, just like he did the last time they fought: Within the first few minutes of the fight Edgar had been knocked down, had his nose broken and gotten blood all over his face. It was a dominant first round for Maynard, just as he dominated the first round of their New Year’s Day fight.
But just as in their New Year’s Day fight, Edgar came back and looked much better in the second round, while Maynard looked tired and allowed Edgar to get back into it in the second round. Edgar had to be feeling good at the end of the second.
Edgar continued to look fresh and comfortable in the third, and Maynard still wasn’t doing any damage. It was surprising to see Maynard not attempt any takedowns, not hurt Edgar with any punches and allow Edgar back into the fight, just as he had done in the prior bout.
And in the fourth round Edgar made Maynard pay for letting him survive so long. Edgar rocked Maynard with punches in the center of the Octagon, bullied the “Bully” against the fence, knocked him down with more punches and finally finished the fight after three minutes, 54 seconds of the fourth.
The win improves Edgar’s record to 14-1-1. And now he’ll get to defend his belt against someone other than Gray Maynard.
The third fight between Edgar and Maynard got off to an explosive start and had an even more explosive ending Saturday night at UFC 136, with Edgar winning by fourth-round knockout after nearly getting knocked out himself at the start of the fight.
It was the third fight between the two great lightweights, and the first one Edgar won. Maynard beat Edgar in 2007, and the two of them fought to a draw on New Year’s Day this year. Now Edgar has finally beaten Maynard and eliminated any doubt that he’s the best lightweight in the world.
“This ain’t easy fighting someone three times,” Edgar said afterward. “Gray forced me to bring the best out of myself.”
Maynard busted up Edgar’s face in the first round, just like he did the last time they fought: Within the first few minutes of the fight Edgar had been knocked down, had his nose broken and gotten blood all over his face. It was a dominant first round for Maynard, just as he dominated the first round of their New Year’s Day fight.
But just as in their New Year’s Day fight, Edgar came back and looked much better in the second round, while Maynard looked tired and allowed Edgar to get back into it in the second round. Edgar had to be feeling good at the end of the second.
Edgar continued to look fresh and comfortable in the third, and Maynard still wasn’t doing any damage. It was surprising to see Maynard not attempt any takedowns, not hurt Edgar with any punches and allow Edgar back into the fight, just as he had done in the prior bout.
And in the fourth round Edgar made Maynard pay for letting him survive so long. Edgar rocked Maynard with punches in the center of the Octagon, bullied the “Bully” against the fence, knocked him down with more punches and finally finished the fight after three minutes, 54 seconds of the fourth.
The win improves Edgar’s record to 14-1-1. And now he’ll get to defend his belt against someone other than Gray Maynard.
Frankie Edgar finally has his victory over Gray Maynard.