April 2, 2008, UFC Fight Night: Florian vs Lauzon, we saw Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard fight. In that fight Gray dominated Frankie with his wrestling and took a unanimous decision victory.
After that bout Frankie won three in a row including two of those being fight of the night performances and earned a shot to face BJ Penn at UFC 112. Frankie won a very debatable decision and became the new UFC Lightweight Champion and four months later defended it in a rematch with BJ and won a 50-45 unanimous decision.
That win lined up the rematch with Gray Maynard and it took place at UFC 125.
Gray on the other hand after the Edgar fight had to win five fights in a row and earned the number one contender ship by defeating Kenny Florian at UFC 118. Gray is a grinder and all of his bouts after the first Edgar fight went to decision.
He was inconsistent throughout this period, he never lost but had a couple of close decisions. During the streak he kept saying he deserved his title shot and finally after his dominating performance against Florian he was granted his wish, and on New Years Day 2011 it all took place.
The lead up to the second fight was interesting, not much smack talk only respect and confidence on both ends. You could truly see the hunger in the two fighters eyes in interviews and pre-fight press conferences. Many, and I mean about 90 percent of people expected this to be a wrestling match and not be very interesting. Oh, how many were surprised.
Round 1 was interesting. Maynard caught Frankie with a solid shot and that led to one of the most lopsided rounds in UFC history that was not stopped and it is good that it wasn’t stopped because what happened after that 10-8 arguably 10-7 round was just amazing.
Round 2 Frankie came out like an animal and looked like nothing had happened in the previous five minutes and showed his heart and dedication. Frankie landed a big take down and land three times the amount of strikes that Maynard did in that round.
Round 3 was a very close round with Edgar landing just a few more strikes than Maynard, but the two take downs that Maynard landed stole the round for him. At this point Frankie seemed fine and ready to go, but you could clearly tell that Maynard was getting very tired and had punched himself out in the first round.
Round 4 was all Edgar while Round 5 was very close. In the fifth Edgar only landed a couple more shots than Maynard, but Maynard failed on seven take down attempts. The final round was very close but Frankie clearly won that round.
After all was said and done many were curious on how the fight would be scored, but besides that everyone had witnessed one of the greatest title fights in UFC history. The fighters paced around, both thought that they had won this fight and both had a legit claim.
Judge Marcos Rosales scored the bout 48-46 for Edgar. Judge Glenn Trowbridge scored the bout 48-46 for Maynard. Then finally judge Patricia Morse-Jarman scored the bout 47-47, and the bout was declared a draw. You could see the disappointment on both fighters faces as Bruce Buffer made the call.
Post fight, Dana White showed praise for both fighters. The WEC merger had recently taken affect and WEC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis was supposed to face the winner, but with the amazing fight and the draw Dana went against the call and announced that we would see a third fight between Edgar and Maynard.
What to expect in this fight? Many things. Both men really want to be the sole owner of this belt. They will do whatever it takes to get the belt as well. Who will go for the early take downs, who will have the superior striking?
We all know what to expect, but how much will each truly change things up in this fight? Edgar must utilize his speed and counter punching. Maynard is more of a power puncher, but one solid shot can take you out of your element.
The wrestling in the fight will be very interesting. Edgar looked tons better that Maynard in the take down department in the last fight, due to his speed and if he fights to his strength he could and should beat Maynard.
These two warriors were made for each other in the octagon, and this fight will not be a test of skill. This fight will be a test of heart and desire. Odds are this fight will go to decision, but should be very entertaining as well.
What happens to the loser of the bout? Would Frankie drop to 145-lbs and try and challenge Jose Aldo? Would Gray add weight and test Welterweight waters? Gray has been known to walk at over 180-lbs when not fighting, so there are weird scenarios like that.
Odds are if the fight isn’t close or controversial the loser will fight a top 4-5 guy and with one or two wins will be back in the title picture, but this is MMA anything is possible.
Be sure to check out UFC 130 on May 28, 2011 live on pay per view.
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