HOUSTON — With a lineup full of impactful fights, UFC 136 could end up as the card of the year. Of course, the athletes have to deliver on Saturday night, but on Friday, the 22 fighters made their bouts official, as everyone made weight in the last obligation before stepping into the cage.
The energy around the event is palpable, with two titles being defended as well as the return of Chael Sonnen and Brian Stann‘s rising star. In fact, it’s hard to tell what the fans are most excited about.
Clearly though, the fight with the most lead-up is the last fight of the epic rivalry between Frank “the Answer” Edgar and Gray “the Bully” Maynard. Both champion and challenger comfortably made the lightweight title fight limit, checking in at 154.5 and 155, respectively.
“I’m ready to do it,” Edgar said. “It’s been too long thinking about this kid. I’m all about the anti-bully movement. Let’s do it.”
“All the pre-fight is done,” Maynard said. “Let’s have some fun. October 8, baby. Tomorrow, I’m going to get that title.”
The featherweight showdown is nearly as anticipated, with longtime crowd favorite Kenny Florian possibly getting his last chance to capture gold. Florian has failed to deliver on two previous tries, and he is considered the underdog against Jose Aldo again on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a great fight,” he said. “It’s the fight I wanted for a long time, the fight that brought me to 145. I’ve trained too hard and suffered too much to not go home with the title tomorrow night.”
Aldo, who went through an excruciating weight cut at his last fight in April, seemed practically joyous this time around, bouncing around and smiling. Both Aldo and Florian weighed 145.
“He’s an excellent athlete but I’m very well prepared,” Aldo said through an intepreter. “Whatever he presents, I’m going to be twice as good.”
In his return to action, Chael Sonnen received a mixed reaction from the crowd, which booed him as he walked to the stage, but cheered him after he checked in at 185.5. He shared a respectful handshake with surging Brian Stann, who made 186 pounds on his second try after ditching his underwear and weighing in behind a towel.
Main Card
Frank Edgar (154.5) vs. Gray Maynard (155)
Jose Aldo (145) vs. Kenny Florian (145)
Chael Sonnen (185.5) vs. Brian Stann (186)
Leonard Garcia (145) vs. Nam Phan (145)
Melvin Guillard (155.5) vs. Joe Lauzon (155.5)
Preliminary Card
Demian Maia (185) vs. Jorge Santiago (185)
Anthony Pettis (154.5) vs. Jeremy Stephens (156)
Joey Beltran (245) vs. Stipe Miocic (236)
Darren Elkins (145) vs. Tiequan Zhang (146)
Eric Schafer (185.5) vs. Aaron Simpson (186)
Steve Cantwell (186) vs. Mike Massenzio (185)
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