UFC lightweight contender Gray Maynard is looking forward to meeting lightweight champion Frankie Edgar in the Octagon again at UFC 136, and he’s had plenty of time to plan for it.
The duo were originally supposed to squash their UFC 125 beef at UFC 130, but both men were injured and the fight was delayed a further six events. However, Maynard was unfazed at his injury as well as the postponement of the match.
“It was easy to get back [into training],” Maynard said at a media call that BleacherReport.com attended. “I love to train. I only took off about three or four weeks because of a scope on my elbow. The whole time I planned out the camp I would have and it was all good.”
Their last fight, an epic encounter that ended in a controversial draw, was a crowd pleaser, but not everyone went home happy.
“The draw hurt a little bit,” he said. Fortunately for Maynard, the rematch was immediately booked. Now, he’s just ready and waiting. “I’m pumped to have it again and we’ll wait for the eighth.”
In the last fight, Maynard nearly finished Edgar with a long and devastating flurry of punches, but the champ ultimately pulled through and fought back to earn a draw. While being so close to a title yet so far would be devastating to a man of average mental toughness, it’s nothing too terrible for Maynard, who probably would’ve gotten bored as title-holder anyway.
“I’ve come close to a lot of goals. I also have a lot of goals that I did accomplish. It always feels really good at the time but the next day it’s always onto the next one.”
Their second title fight (which is actually their third fight overall) promises to be more intriguing than the first since now each man knows everything about the other man’s abilities.
What will Gray Maynard do to deal with the speed and agility of Frankie Edgar? How will Edgar handle Maynard’s size and strength?
The world will be waiting with bated breath until October 8th when the two fighters finally square off to decide who is the UFC lightweight champion.
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