The final bout on the undercard portion of UFC 138 was a welterweight fight between TUF alum Justin Edwards and debuting John Maguire.
Edwards dropped a close decision to Clay Harvison in his UFC debut, but bounced back to defeat Jorge Lopez in September.
Maguire came into the contest on late notice, but has secured five straight wins to earn a shot in the UFC.
As soon as the fight started, Edwards connected with low blow while attempting an inside leg kick against the southpaw Maguire. Edwards pressed forward with a flurry. Edwards connected with a spinning back kick and then followed with a right hand that dropped Maguire. Edwards looked for the finish, but Maguire survived. Maguire pushed forward for a takedown, but Edwards countered with a guillotine. Maguire escaped and ended up in the full guard of Edwards. Edwards regained his footing along the fence. Using double underhooks, Maguire scored with another takedown. Edwards again stood. Edwards delivered a combination against the fence, but Maguire used to move to Edwards’ back. Edwards escaped the position, and dropped down for a guillotine from side control. Maguire finished the round on top.
Maguire landed a leg kick to start the second. Edwards answered with another flurry but a head kick was blocked by the British fighter. Maguire landed a jumping kick to Edwards’ liver. Edwards delivered an uppercut against the fence. Maguire again gained double underhooks and slammed Edwards to the canvas. Maguire locked in a body triangle. Edwards defended Maguire’s choke attempts despite the poor position. Maguire transitioned for an armbar as the second frame ended.
The fighters traded jabs to start the final round. Edwards again looked for a spinning back kick. Maguire dumped the fight to the ground. Edwards looked for a heel hook, but Maguire countered with a kneebar. Back on the feet, Edwards threw a spinning heel kick. Maguire connected with a series of knees. Edwards latched onto Maguire’s neck, but could not complete the guillotine. Maguire moved to the mount and took Edwards’ back again. Maguire locked on the body triangle. Edwards broke the body lock, but Maguire attacked Edwards’ arm. Edwards got to his feet with thirty second left in the fight. Maguire looked a guillotine as the fight went the distance.
All of the judges scored the fight for John Maguire. Maguire explained that he had waited for the opportunity for so long and was thrilled to get the win.
Official Result: John Maguire def. Justin Edwards by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
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Rob Tatum is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at TheMMACorner.com. For anything related to MMA, you can follow Rob on Twitter @RobTatumMMA.