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UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar defends his belt against Gray Maynard tonight at UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III. Maynard won their first fight by decision in 2008. On January 1 of this year they met for the second time and put on an all-time classic. That bout saw Maynard very nearly finish Edgar in the first round only for Edgar to survive and come back to win the second.
The two are very evenly matched, Edgar's speed and ability to transition back-and-forth effortlessly from striking to wrestling balancing out Maynard's advantages in size and punching power.
Personally I think Edgar has a psychological edge since he survived everything Maynard could throw at him in the first round of Edgar-Maynard II and came back to tie the fight.
Aspect
Edgar
Points
Maynard
Advantage
Range Fighting
Boxing
Slick
2
Powerful
Maynard
Kickboxing
Diverse
1
You Can Kick?
Edgar
Wrestling
Off the Transitions
1
Excellent
Edgar
Clinch Fighting
Dirty Boxing
Effective
1
Brutal
Maynard
Thai Clinch
Has Used It
1
What's That?
Edgar
Throws/Trips
Very Good
1
Very Good
Tie
Ground Fighting
Positional Control
Good
1
Very Good
Maynard
Scrambling
Human Eggbeater
1
Omelette Maker
Maynard
Ground and Pound
Effective
1
Hurtful
Edgar
Submissions
Good
1
Limited
Edgar
Intangibles
Still the Champ
1
Couldn't Finish Edgar
Edgar
Overall
Frankie!!!
6/5
Missed His Chance
Edgar