Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard

The UFC has booked the trilogy every fan wants to see, following the riveting draw Frankie Edgar(13-0-1) and Gray Maynard(10-0-1) fought to at UFC 125, in what may go down as the fight of the year in 2011.

Anthony Pettis was supposed to be the next contender for the title, but the draw left many fans clamoring for a third and final fight to distinguish a true champion.

Edgar(#1 ranked LW) barely withstood the 1st round, but somehow on instinct and pure heart he survived and ultimately turned the tide by out-wrestling and boxing Gray for the remainder of the bout. Edgar may not be the biggest or strongest, but he has proven to be a true champion.

Maynard(#2 ranked LW) remains the greatest challenge to Edgar’s title reign, and is likely kicking himself for not finishing off Edgar when he had the chance. Maynard faded throughout the 5-round war and was unable to take Edgar down at will like he had in their first fight.

This fight could not have been better for the UFC’s lightweight division. The 5-round title fight made Edgar and Maynard shed their labels as boring fighters in many critics’ eyes and also elevate their status as main event players. In addition, Edgar and Maynard have almost cleared out the division, and it gives the UFC time to develop the next lineage of title contenders.

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