UFC's 3rd event in as many weeks UFC 136 Edgar vs Maynard III is set to take place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The last 2 events featured a title fight in the main event but UFC 136 on the other hand features not one but two big title fights. Frankie Edgar hopes the 3rd time is the charm to defeat the only man he has yet too in his career as he defends his Lightweight title against Gray Maynard. Their draw at UFC 125 as we all know is wildly considered as the best fight of the year and both fighters are looking to set the record straight. Jose Aldo looks to defend his title against Kenny Florian who is fighting in his 4th weight class and 3rd title fight. The main card also features a Middleweight #1 contenders bout between Chael Sonnen and Brian Stann The rest of the main card is rounded out by Melvin Guillard looking to earn his own title shot as he takes on Joe Lauzon and finally Leonard Garcia looks to leave no doubt against Nam Phan in a rematch after their first fight had the judges give Garcia the controversial decision.
Main Event
Lightweight Championship
13-1-1 Record 11-0-1
29 Age 32
155 Weight 155
5'6 Height 5'8
72" Reach 70"
-150 Odds +125
How they got there: The 3rd meeting between the 2 Lightweights after their last bout at UFC 125 ended in a draw in which most consider the best fight of 2011. Edgar hasn't lost since their first meeting in 2008 winning 5 straight between that bout and their draw. Maynard still undefeated had won 8 straight in the UFC before the draw.What to expect: It would be pretty unfair to expect the same sort of performance this time around since not a lot of people even expected to get the best fight of the year out of their last fight in the first place. What we should expect is that each fighter will use what got them here Edgar with his great footwork and head movement in his standup and Maynard with his wrestling. Maynard still has some powerful hands as he proved in the last fight and Edgar and if he starts to connect on Edgar look for Edgar to even go for him own takedown and look for a submission. If Edgar was able to get Maynard on the back it would be back in his favour as Edgar does have some underrated Jiu Jitsu to go along with his wrestling.
My prediction: Edgar by Decision
Featherweight Championship
Jose Aldo vs Kenny Florian
19-1 Record 14-5
25 Age 35
145 Weight 146
5'7 Height 5'10
70" Reach 74"
-280 Odds +225
How they got there: Aldo is coming off his UFC debut title defense against Mark Hominick at UFC 129 which was a grueling 5 round battle. Overall Aldo has won 12 fights in a row, 9 of them in the UFC/WEC and the last 3 being title defenses. Florian is coming off his successful Featherweight debut beating Diego Nunes at UFC 131.
What to expect: Both known for their aggressive Muay Thai with Florian favouring the use of elbows while Aldo likes to use his knees. A very intriguing matchup as far as gameplans are concerned, does Florian want to keep the distance and use his reach? but by doing so it could open up Aldo to delivery one of his signature flying knees. If and when this fight hits the ground it's just as interesting as the standup as on paper it does seem to be a pretty even battle. Who ever comes into this fight in better shape could find them selves having the advantage if it goes into the later rounds.
Chael Sonnen vs Brian Stann
25-11-1 Record 11-3
34 Age 31
185 Weight 186
6'1 Height 6'1
74" Reach 74"
-260 Odds +215
How they got there: Sonnen is finally making his return after having almost beat Anderson Silva in his last bout at UFC 117 when he took down and control the champ for the first 4 rounds before eventually succumbing to a triangle choke in the 5th round. Stann has now won 3 in a row since joining the Middleweight division ranks winning all 3 bouts by stoppage most recently a TKO win over Jorge Santiago at UFC 131.What to expect: Sonnen is going to stick with what works with him and that is putting guys on their back and grinding them out. It probably is a wise game plan against the heavy handed Stann but once on the ground could Stann be the first American to submit Sonnen since Jeremy Horn in 2006. Stann does have a respectable ground game but his real key to victory is to stuff Sonnen's takedowns and use his power in the standup to look for a KO.
My prediction: Sonnen by Decision
Leonard Garcia vs Nam Phan
15-7-1 Record 16-9
32 Age 28
145 Weight 145
5'9 Height 5'6
69.5" Reach 70"
How they got there: A rematch from their conterversial bout in which Garcia won by split decision. Since the first meeting they both have fought once, and lost. Garcia fell to Chang Sung Jung at UFC Fight Night 24 which was also a rematch in one of the best submissions of the year. Phan on the other hand lost a decision to the tough Mike Brown at UFC 133.What to expect: Unlike the main event we could expect the same type of fight with this rematch. Expect the same brawl they had in their first fight but with Garcia doing enough this time around to leave no doubt.
My prediction: Garcia by Decision
Melvin Guillard vs Joe Lauzon
29-8-2 Record 20-7
28 Age 27
29-8-2 Record 20-7
28 Age 27
155 Weight 156
5'9 Height 5'9
71" Reach 70"
-275 Odds +225
How they got there: The streaking Guillard has title shot aspirations after having strung 5 straight wins together his most recent a brutal KO over Shane Roller at UFC 132. Lauzon got back in the win column in his last bout at UFC Live 4 where he defeated Curt Warburton by submission.
What to expect: In the past this matchup could spell trouble for Guillard but the resurgence while training with Greg Jackson has perhaps put him submission trouble behind him. With that said Guillard shouldn't be exactly jumping into Lauzon's guard and should stick with keeping this fight standing and in his advantage with the power he has in his hands. For Lauzon it's all about the ground game but to get it there he's going to have to get close to Guillard which could spell trouble for him.
No comments:
Post a Comment