BlogKick: Edgar Vs. Maynard Prediction
With the main event at UFC 125 just days away the world will be treated to one of the most stacked cards in recent UFC memory. The event will be headline in a LW title fight between Fankie Edgar, and Gray Maynard, in which is a rematch where Gray Maynard won the first fight via unanimous decision. Frankie will be looking for redemption as Gray is his only loss, and Gray with and undefeated record will be looking for validation as the best LW in the UFC.
Frankie “The Answer” Edgar: 13-1, a New Jersey native was born October 16, 1981. Frankie Wrestled in high school making it to the state championships 3 times, with his best outing resulting in second place. Frankie wrestled and Clarion University of Pennsylvania and qualified for nationals all four years. He also holds a role as an assistant wrestling coach for Rutgers University. Edgar had his first fight with only a couple weeks of training MMA to go with his wrestling background. He fights out of the Gracie fight team under Ricardo Almeida based out of New Jersey. Edgar also tried out for season 5 of The Ultimate Fighter but was not selected; ironically it is the same season in which Gray Maynard appeared on. Frankie hold notable wins over Jim Miller, Tyson Griffin, Mark Bocek, Spencer Fisher, Hermes Franca, Sean Sherk, Matt Veach and BJ Penn twice. Frankie is currently the UFC LW champion.
Gray “The Bully” Maynard: 10-0 born May 9, 1979 in Phoniex, Arizona. Gray wrestled at Bonanaza High School and transferred to St. Edwards High School in Ohio. He placed second in States 140 pound weight class for Division I in 1997. In 1998 Gray won the state championship at the 152 pound weight class. In college Gray wrestled alongside former UFC LHW Champion Rashad Evans at Michigan State University as a freshman Gray placed 8th in the nation in Division I wrestling, and went on to being named an All American multiple times. Gray tried out for the 2004 Olympics but failed to make the team from there he was recruited as a sparring partner for BJ Penn, and that was where his journey in MMA began. He now trains out of Xtreme Couture, and is undefeated in his MMA career with notable wins over Dennis Siver, Frankie Edgar, Rich Clementi, Jim Miller, Rodger Huerta, Nate Diaz, and Kenny Florian.
Prediction: This fight is a rematch in which the first meeting was a resulted in a decision win given to Gray Maynard at UFC, UFN 13. This fight more than likely will also go to decision with both fighters being decision fighters, between the two fighters combine 23 wins they have 16 decision in total.
Frankie will look to stay on the outside, and land shots while trying to minimize his exposure to the takedown. Frankie’s striking is leaps and bounds ahead of Grays, but doesn’t pose a great deal of risk due to Frankie’s lack of power, and Gray’s solid chin. Frankie will also look to have Gray chase him, and to tire out Gray, and make it easier to out point him, and maybe trying to secure a takedown late in the later rounds to cement a decision.
Gray will use the same formula he has used for all his other opponents, and that will be to “bully” them to the ground. Gray will look to cut the cage off and give Fankie less room to move, tie him up against the cage, and will work nonstop for a takedown. Once down Gray will put a lot of effort towards control and try to do just enough not to get stood up, and to take the round in a rather uneventful fashion.
Although Gray has one of the fastest KO in UFC history just at 9 seconds he will more than likely ride this fight out via ground control, and using his wrestling. Look for Gray Maynard to be the winner via Unanimous decision.
