UFC 136 Recap: Frankie Edgar KOs Gray Maynard
Solid card and a surprising finish for Frankie Edgar-Gray Maynard III. Here’s what happened:
Melvin Guillard vs. Joe Lauzon
Melvin Guillard, who was within spitting distance of a title shot, is back in reckless dumbass mode and came at Lauzon with his hands down. Lauzon popped him, jumped on his back and used his slick BJJ to choke Guillard out after about 40 seconds in the first. Bigtime upset.
Editor’s note: This post has been corrected to accurately reflect the result of the fight.
Leonard Garcia vs. Nam Pham
Last time these two fought Pham kicked Leonard’s ass and lost a controversial (incorrect) decision in the UFC’s first televised featherweight bout. Garcia throws wild haymakers the whole time, so even if he doesn’t land it goes over well with the judges. on Saturday Pham beats Garcia’s ass for the first two rounds. Pham lands short crisp punches while Garcia throws big punches and misses. Garcia gets Pham in trouble in the third with his trademark wild haymakers, but isn’t able to finish him. Pham gets the decision 29–28 on all cards.
Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann
Chael handled the war hero handily, throwing him around like ragdoll and always maintaing top position before finally winning by a really nice arm triangle in the second. Sonnen called out Anderson Silva (who sat next to Charles Barkely) in true pro wrestling fashion after the fight.
“Anderson Silva you absolutely suck. Superbowl weekend, the biggest rematch of the century. I’m calling you out, but we’re upping the stakes. If I beat you, you leave the division. If you beat me, I leave the UFC forever,” Sonnen boasted.
Say what you will about the convicted tax-evader and steroid-user, he knows how to promote a fight. Silva looks amused.
Jose Aldo vs. Kenny Florian
Florian loses yet another title shot as he was outstruck by Aldo. Uneventful fight. Florian’s wrestling was better than the champ’s, but Aldo landed enough shots to win it 49–46 on all cards.
Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard
Still amazing how much bigger Gray is than Edgar. Probably has 10–15 lbs on the champ. Similar to the last fight as Edgar got the holy shit kicked out of him in the first round. Jesus. If there is any such thing as a 10–8 round that was it.
Like the previous fight, Gray Maynard looked out of gas after the first round and Edgar began to pick him apart. In the fourth round Edgar shot and hit Gray with an uppercut when he attempted to defend. Gray was hurt badly by the blow and went to the mat as Edgar rained punches until the ref called the TKO.
My notes: “Wow. Didn’t see that coming. Great fight. ”
A spectacular finish that somehow managed to deliver on the endless hype. We hope Bob Arum is taking notes.
