Gray “The Bully” Maynard Vs Frankie “The Answer” Edgar (champion) III.
To begin with I aim to do sections on Main bouts of UFC numbered events, but I would also like to cover Divisions, 'lay of the land' and other stuff that runs through my head. But I love hyping things up, giving in depth analysis and historic reviews, so I'll begin with those 3 and see how we go.

Gray “The Bully” Maynard Vs Frankie “The Answer” Edgar (champion) III.

Edgar Left, Maynard right.

UFC 130 is 1 month away and the main event features the 3^rd instalment of the Edgar/Maynard Saga.

Frankie Edgar (aged 29) made his debut in the UFC back at UFC 67. In a 3 round war, that took place all over the octagon, Franke Edgar beat Tyson Griffin in a fight so memorable that it won fight of the year. Prior to starting his UFC career Edgar lead a 5-0 undefeated streak beating future contender and UFC veteran Jim Miller. Edgar followed his Fight of the year win with a victory over debuting fighter, Mark Bocek; a fight he was able to finish in the opening round. He was then looking to be fast tracked to a UFC title opportunity, as he also beat Spencer Fisher at UFC 78. But that title was not meant for him as on the 2^nd of April 2008, he met his biggest rival to date, Gray Maynard.

Gray was also entering the bout undefeated in Professional MMA, at 5-0 (1). He came to the UFC via The ultimate fighter, losing only to the winner Nate Diaz, via guillotine choke. Gray was gaining fans fast with a 9 second KO, a double KO slam and a stint on the reality show, on his resume.

The fight started out between the pair and the broadcast team of Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan said:

“Neither have lost Joe in there mixed martial arts career”

“This is such a good match-up Mike, 2 really promising up and coming contenders and this is a match up Gray Maynard asked for. Frankie Edgar has just been tearing it up and so has Gray, both these guys really excited about finding out who the best one is at 155.”

The first round showed Edgar would not be able to take Gray down On their feet, Edgar was faster and able to throw more than just punches, which made Gray look stiff, as all he could do was throw punches, but Gray's superior wrestling enabled him to land 2 takedowns, one of which he was able to use effectively to keep Edgar on his back for the final 2 minutes of the round.

In the second round we saw Maynard prove he had the power and Edgar had the speed when it came to stand up; that was until Edgar attempted another takedown, which was blocked and reversed into a single leg, leaving Edgar on his back for a third time. Edgar was able to stand up, and use angles and foot movement, whereas Gray showed great head movement. Together they would make a perfect boxer. From that Edgar was able to stuff a takedown from Gray and reversed it into a hip toss and Edgar was on top for the first time: this was short lived. Gray had by now got it in the judges scorecards that he had superior wrestling.

“this is a real interesting chess match, Mike, you know, Between to very closely skilled 155 pounders, true fans really appreciate these fights, when you see a guy trying to figure out almost a mirror image of himself”

Gray shot with a double leg which put Edgar down again. Edgar tried a Guillotine but Gray was able to pass to side control, so Edgar reversed it into a half hearted Kimura attempt. The round ended, Gray on top in a dominant position.

Third round began with a scramble takedown, Edgar sensed he was being outwrestled. The easiest thing to score this on was the takedowns, which Gray Maynard took the points for with a slam.

“there is just such a slight advantage in the wrestling, but its proving to be a big difference”

The wrestling advantage went to Gray, the Jiu Jitsu went to Edgar and the stand up was inseparable.

The round came to a close and Gray started to tire, but it was too little to late. The judges saw the wrestling and takedowns of Gray Maynard, and Gray took the match. 30-27 on all 3 scorecards.

Frankie Edgar had lost, but it was a far from dominating victory. Fortunately for Edgar, he was awarded a fight against the former Title contender of the division, Hermes Franca, whom he beat in another exciting 3 round Fight of the night affair. Edgar was gaining fans for his exciting fights. He then fought the former title holder, Sean Sherk, and beat him at UFC 98. Frankie had all the fans routing for him and so his loss to Gray was forgotten.

For Gray however, his win was cursed, he lost fans as all he could do was win. Not entertain, he used his superior wrestling and ever improving boxing to dispose of all challengers. He reached a record of 8-0 (1) before getting his long awaited rematch with Nate Diaz. His wrestling and improved submission defence helped him win this rematch but it was close. His boxing came of little use, as Nate Diaz's reach kept him at a distance. The bout ended in Gray's 6^th decision win in a row and with it the hope of being labelled an exciting fighter began to fade.

Frankie won his next Match via rear naked choke, in a battle he not only finished but pne that saw hime take his 3^rd Fight of the Night honours. This, and for his fans and his entertainment quality, he was honoured with a match against the long time champion of the division, BJ Penn. As you can tell, Gray was not too happy about the guy he beat 2 years before, earning a title shot in front of him, but things would start looking up for Gray in a way he couldn't have imagined.

Somehow in words I can not describe the long time ruler of the Lightweight division, BJ Penn was beaten. Frankie was far too sharp and made BJ look slow: he outclassed the man, who so many people said Frankie wouldn't beat. People were so baffled and confused about how this natural Featherweight beat the long time champion that Edgar was forced to prove himself and fight BJ again. After another 25 minutes of fighting Frankie Edgar proved he was the real deal. BJ was, like everyone shocked, but the division had to move forward.

In this time Gray Maynard was able to dispatch of BJ Penn's long time number 1 contender, Kenny Florian.

It was almost a change of guard, Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard were the new breeds, replacing and regenerating how the division had stood for such a long time.

Now that Edgar had, in the eyes of many, pushed the champion off the top spot, a rematch was needed. A chance for Edgar to take his revenge on the man who had beaten him 32 months before.

UFC 125 was headlined by Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar: this time for the world title. For 25 minutes both men were keen to show off their new skills and styles, they had developed since the last meeting. Edgar had used his speed and footwork to outclass opponents and shock crowds, as Gray had used wrestling to earn points on scorecards. Despite all the controversy Edgar had gone through, by beating the former hero of the division (BJ Penn), Edgar was the fan favourite and the entrances reflected this.

Frankie was pumped, Gray looked serious.

In the eyes of many Gray had become a boring Lay and Pray style wrestler, but in the opening minutes of the first round, viewers were reminded/introduced of his powerful boxing skills and punches, which brought him a 9 second KO 3 years before. He rocked Frankie Edgar all over the cage, starting with a sharp left hook and Gray started landing at will, dropping him 4 times within 1 minute. Frankie was so hurt he couldn't even attempt a realistic takedown defence, in the eyes of many the fight should have been stopped. He then attempted several takedowns all of which were blocked, but these gave him time to recover. Whether he was working on instinct or not, he was surviving. But the onslaught continued and Gray dropped him again. Frankie Edgar was always able to stand, but always wobbly, looking hurt. Disoriented and weary but surviving, Edgar seemed to begin to recover as the round ended. The round had two moments where Gray could have finishes Edgar but it didn't happen - Gray had worked hard so how tired was he?

The second round began and the heart of Frankie Edgar showed; he was able to pull himself together and it could have been his cardio, or how well he was able to take punishment, his movement or stand up that gave him the ability to fight like the first round never happened. Gray however was clearly tired, however he felt so confident in his stand up, due to what happened in the round prior, he wasn't willing to use his wrestling quite yet. Edgar capitalised on this, and started loosening up in the stand up, even feeling more confident in his wrestling, and he landed a big slam on  Maynard, who retaliated with a takedown to end the round, which was blocked. Frankie had improved his wrestling, had better cardio, and was trying to win the fight, not finish the fight which Gray was trying to do. That round must have gone to Edgar.

Gray Maynard was definatly tired, in the third round. We saw glimpses of how the fight would have played out without Gray's wrestling. Edgar was using angles, footwork and leg kicks to the leg, body and face. Gray started headhunting looking only for the big punch. Fortunately for Gray, he was able to secure a takedown, escape a Kimura attempt from Frankie and was saved by the Bell in a guillotine attempt.

 Gray Maynards corner (Randy Couture) “You stole that round it's 2 rounds to 1 but that was a f****** close round” 

Championship rounds began and Gray wanted to win by wrestling now. This was not to be, as he was unsuccessful in a takedown attempt, found himself fighting against another guillotine attempt and then  taken down by Edgar again. Edgar was finding his rhythm in his sprawl and brawl style. Edgar continued putting combinations together and all Gray was doing was looking to do was land that one big shot from a counter or mistake from Edgar. The conditioning of Edgar showed: he was beating Gray to the punch.

 “The more rounds he (Edgar) wins, the more it comes into question. What was the scoring of the first round.” (Joe Rogan)

“Excellent point” (Mike Goldberg)

“it was such a tremendous beating that he took, it couldn't just be a 10-9 round”

“as dominant a round as we've seen in a long time”

 Last round began and very much like the last few, the wrestling was so evenly matched. Every takedown became a scramble, on the feet Edgar mixed it up and Gray looked for the big strikes. Gray looked like he had given 90% of his gas tank amd Edgar looked like he had given 70%. Both men were tired. The fight continued standing, swinging to the finish. Both men had reasons to why the deserved to win.

It went to the judges.  Had Frankie done enough after the first round onslaught?

Judge 1 scored the bout 48-46 Maynard

Judge 2 scored the bout 48-46 Edgar

Judge 3 scored the bout 47-47.

Edgar kept the belt.

And now, come UFC 130. On the 28^th of May, what will happen? What will have improved?

The conditioning of Gray Maynard?

The wrestling of Frankie Edgar?

All we know is, it's speed vs power, its boxing vs kickboxing. Its the lightweight title on the line for another 25 minutes between the two best fighters in the division with a combined record of 23-1-2 (1) There only loss, was fighting each other.

I'd like to think I keep my picks and opinions out of these things, but I fear getting questioned my opinions if I don't. I've never been against fighters winning by Lay and Pray, in my opinion, if it wins you a fight do it, just don't expect a big pay-check if you win. I want Gray Maynard to win. But I think Edgar will take it, Unanimous decision.