UFC 125: Frankie Edgar "No Respect"

UFC Lightweight Champ Frankie Edgar faces Gray Maynard at UFC 125 on Jan. 1, 2011

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For UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar, UFC 125 not only serves as his second title defense but it also gives him a chance to redeem his only promotional loss against number one contender Gray “The Bully” Maynard. Both fighters are different fighters today; Edgar has evolved into one of the best striking lightweights to go along with his world-class wrestling skills. Maynard has comparable wrestling and grappling skills matching his top-notch conditioning, a quality he often uses to drag his opponents into the late rounds where he claims decisions regularly. For Edgar, “revenge”, is probably not the first thing on his mind, instead a victory over Maynard solidifies his status as the best lightweight in the UFC.

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There are some in the world of mixed martial arts who believe that Gilbert Melendez is among the best lightweights in the world today, however most believe that Edgar vs. Maynard is the matchup between the best two lightweights in the sport today. Maynard, as he proved prior, believes that he has the skills to unseat Edgar. He also has just as effective wrestling skills and is able to work his opponents to the ground, but it’s his takedown defense that wears his opponents out more than others. If Maynard does have a weakness, it’s his submission defense, however it rarely comes into play because he is so hard to be taken to the ground.

In reality, Edgar probably isn’t counting on a submission victory against Maynard, that just isn’t his area of expertise. The area where he could possibly take an advantage is in the stand-up. Early in his career, Edgar’s stand-up striking skills were not given much credit; however after beating down Sean Sherk at UFC 98 and BJ Penn in his two most recent bouts, it’s his boxing that is carrying him through. If this bout continues suit and works out the way he would like, Edgar should be able to take advantage by using his developing boxing skills.

As far as the odds go, it looks as if Edgar will be a fairly heavy favorite to win his sixth consecutive bout and keep his lightweight belt, but in reality it has much more meaning than keeping that title. With a victory over Maynard to go along with his pair of victories over Penn, Edgar will have disposed of two of the top lightweight contenders. Anthony Pettis, George Sotiropoulos, Ben Henderson and others are climbing, but none have proven to be real challengers to his 155-pound belt. As extra incentive, Edgar also gains respect that seems to be evading him throughout much of his climb to the top and his present title reign.

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A loss to Maynard wouldn’t necessarily shock the MMA world; however it would most likely cost Edgar his position as a top lightweight. He would have to win a couple of more fights against top-level fighters in order to gain contender status once again. He doesn’t have the clout that BJ Penn has, so an immediate title shot would probably be out of the question. A loss would be detrimental to his career and to the respect that he is trying to earn across the world of mixed martial arts.

When it comes down to it, in order to get the respect he deserves, Edgar is just going to have to take it. Many fail to give Edgar the credit he deserves even after picking up back-to-back victories over BJ Penn; however a victory over Maynard may change that. A decisive victory not only will garner him the respect that he is warranted but will also prove that the people who doubt that his title reign is legit, are dead wrong.

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer