UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard 3 Bold Predictions

The lightweight division will finally be released from its nearly one year prison sentence at Saturdays UFC 136 when Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard face off for the third time. When the two fought to a draw at UFC 125 in January the top of the lightweight division was locked in handcuffs as they waiting for Edgar vs. Maynard 3. The waiting games are finally over and win, lose or draw the lightweight champion is moving onto another challenger.

There’s not just one but two title fight at UFC 136 as Jose Aldo will defend his UFC featherweight title for the second time against Kenny Florian. Always a bride’s maid, Florian will be making his third and probably last attempt at UFC gold, in arguably his toughest test to date. Aldo is riding a 12 fight winning streak and has finished seven of his nine bouts under the ZUFFA banner.

The rest of the main card features two bout with title shot ramifications along with a rematch to hopefully right the wrong of 10 months ago.

The always entertaining Chael Sonnen looks to get another shot at the UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva with a win over Brian Stann. Sonnen hasn’t fought in 14 months and will have to shake off any ring rust while dodging the heavy hands of Stann. Melvin Guillard is nearing the top of the lightweight division but standing in his way of a reaching the top is Joe Lauzon. Guillard is riding the hot hand of a five fight winning streak, whereas Lauzon is trying to regain some consistency after alternating wins and losses in his last four.

Nam Phan and Leonard Garcia will do it again but this time let’s hope the judges get it right, better yet take it out of the judges hands entirely. Neither fighter has been winning lately and if they wish to continue collecting a paycheck from ZUFFA a strong outing is highly recommended.

UFC 136 takes place from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas and runs in conjunction with the UFC Fan Expo happening at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Main Card (Pay-Per-View):

155 lbs.: Frankie Edgar will defeat Gray Maynard by Unanimous Decision

• Remember the last fight? On Saturday you’ll see a similar fight just a little less instant classic and without the first round near finish. Edgar will avoid the big shot of Maynard early and take over late to take the decision victory and remain the lightweight champion.

145 lbs.: Jose Aldo will defeat Kenny Florian by 3^rd rd. TKO

• Aldo will start off slow, respecting his opponent early on but that won’t last long. The leg kicks will chop Florian down before the hands take over and finish the fight. Aldo is too explosive for Florian and the Ultimate Fighter season one runner-up will once again come in second.

185 lbs.: Chael Sonnen will defeat Brian Stann by Unanimous Decision

• Evil vs. Good, Wrestler vs. Striker, Sonnen vs. Stann, call it what you want but this should be an interesting fight. Ring rust aside, Sonnen will take this fight to the canvas right away putting Stann in defense mood. Sonnen will not finish the fight but he’ll have Stann on his back the majority of the fight.

155 lbs.: Joe Lauzon will defeat Melvin Guillard by 2^nd rd. Submission (rear naked choke)

• Guillard comes in red-hot and is the favorite to win, but Lauzon is a dangerous opponent for him. Lauzon weathers the early storm and in round two gets the fight to the ground where Guillard will get choked out trying to escape and get up.

145 lbs.: Nam Phan will defeat Leonard Garcia by Split Decision

• Nam Phan is determined to get this win and right the wrong done to him in their first meeting. In a strange act of Karma the fight will once again be close and go the distance, but this time its Phan getting the nod that many thought Garcia had won…… Phan vs. Garcia III???

Preliminary card (Spike TV):

185 lbs.: Demian Maia will defeat Jorge Santiago by 2^nd rd. Submission (Rear Naked Choke)

155 lbs.: Anthony Pettis will defeat Jeremy Stephens by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Preliminary card (Facebook.com):

185 lbs.: Steve Cantwell will defeat Mike Massenzio by Unanimous Decision

145 lbs.: Zhang Tie Quan will defeat Darren Elkins by 1^st rd. Submission

265 lbs.: Stipe Miocic will defeat Joey Beltran by Split Decision

185 lbs.: Aaron Simpson will defeat Eric Schafer by Unanimous Decision

Tags: Aaron Simpson, Anthony Pettis, Brian Stann, Chael Sonnen, Darren Elkins, Demian Maia, Eric Schafer, Frankie Edgar, Gray Maynard, Jeremy Stephens, Joe Lauzon, Joey Beltran, Jorge Santiago, Jose Aldo, Kenny Florian, Leonard Garcia, Melvin guillard, Mike Massenzio, Mixed Martial Arts, MMA, Nam Phan, Predictions, Steve Cantwell, Stipe Miocic, UFC, UFC 136, UFC 136 Predictions, Zhang Tie Quan

Category: Exclusive, Featured, MMA, Predictions, UFC