Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard Rematch Planned After UFC 125 Draw
Posted by Kris Karkoski on Jan 2, 2011 at 10:59 am ET31 Comments
An immediate rematch between UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard is in the works after the pair fought to a draw in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 125 event in Las Vegas.
The UFC announced Anthony Pettis as Edgar’s next challenger at the post-UFC 125 press conference, but UFC President Dana White changed his mind and Maynard will now get another shot at the belt once both are ready to return to the Octagon.
In the video below, White talks to MMAFighting about Edgar-Maynard 3:
MORE: UFC 125 recap, UFC 125 results, UFC 125 coverage
For the latest UFC news and UFC rumors stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com.
Loading ...
Good Call Dana. I believe this is the right decision. Maynard and Edgar was a Great fight and I want to see it again. This is what I love about MMA. When this fight was first made a lot of people were talking about how can this fight be the main event. Now this fight could very well be the fight of the year. You never know what is going to happen. That is why I watch all the fights.
First, like poster Rich lets all take a second to recall that a lot of MMA know-it-alls, myself included, thought that 125 would have a lackluster result due to lack of “star power”.
Honestly, other than the Lesnar-Velasquez fight, I’ve never been happier to be wrong.
Amazing performances dropped by 2 of the best 155ers in the sport, and the result was roo close too call, so Dana White does what he pretty much seems to do a lot these days:
Namely wave off a previously promised title shot to a deserving fighter and hands it to another deserving fighter.
Honestly its getting a little ridiculous, but this time we have no one to blame but Edgar and Maynard.
What else was DW to do with a split draw in a PPV main event title fight?
If one of them had actually, y’know…won the fight, Pettis could have stepping in against the winner and unified the WEC and UFC 155 titles.
Instead we get Edgar-Maynard 3, and Pettis gets a membership in Club Marquardt & Fitch…
@jcohl
Happy New Year!
From the very beginning I said I wanted to see UFC 125 not have another big fight that would take the spotlight off of Edgar and Maynard. The reason behind that is so everyone can see and remember how good these guys really are. I said they needed and deserved the main spotlight and they got it and did fabulous.
I did score a draw for that bout and no one at my place believed it was going to be that. When it was announced a draw I was still a little bit surprised. Now it sets up a very complicated decision between a rematch or a unification between the WEC/UFC titles. Also, neither decision is a win-win situations. There will be people all over the world frustrated no matter what decision is made.
I am fine with whatever decision is made. It’s understandable if they rematch or if they unify. The only question is what is Anthony supposed to do since he doesn’t get Edgar next? Does he compete or does he wait? If he does wait I’m guessing he’ll have to at least wait until August. If he doesn’t wait than what happens with the WEC belt? Does Anthony get to keep it or does he have to defend it in a 5 round bout in the UFC? I wonder if Anthony is fine with all of this or not?
When it comes to this rematch I feel that Edgar will have the edge on Maynard. I know Maynard slowed down after the first round, but Edgar wasn’t the same either. His movement was great, but not as crisp as usual. They both weren’t 100% after the 1st round. The 3match will be even more fast and explosive than the rematch. If Edgar doesn’t get nailed clean by one of Maynard’s savage power punches and can stuff Maynard’s takedowns, than I believe Edgar will win and set up a Edgar vs. Maynard 4 for the future to settle it all.
p.s. wouldn’t it be nice to see Jose Aldo mix it up with the top UFC lightweights in the future, whenever he’s ready? Those would be some exciting and explosive fights. ;)
False logic, Dana. Just because Maynard fought hard doesn’t mean he deserves a rematch immediately. HE DIDN’T GET THE JOB DONE. HE DIDN’T BEAT THE CHAMPION.
He deserves a higher ranking, maybe, but not a rematch before other DESERVING people have their chance to fight for the title. They will fight hard, too, and maybe get the job done.
The way Dana is manipulating fights sure seems like the old days of boxing when fights were fixedCalling for a rematch is hardly the same as fixing a fight. -BSBiz
I hate the “you have to beat the champ” argument because it makes no sense. No, Maynard did not beat the champ but guess what, the champ didn’t beat the challenger. How can you stay champ if you can’t even beat your opponent? It was a draw meaning no winner and no loser. Rematch makes all the sense in the world. Remember, Pettis was promised a shot at the winner of Edgar vs Maynard. Nobody won!!!!!!!!!!!
Maynard did beat the “champ” in my mind.. idk what fight you were watching
toolbut there’s no way the fight was a draw and there’s no way edgar wonNo personal attacks. -BSBiz
u must joking right? i do not understand how u can say maynard won that fight. Just because he won the first round 10-8 does not give him that fight. He got out boxed and out wrestled the entire rest of the fight. i scored it 48-46 for edgar. i dont agree with maynard winning the 3rd just because of the takedown either. He stuffed 3 takedowns right before he finally gave up that one. frankie won the stand up and was a few more seconds away from submitting him with a gullotine. Frankie then out wrestled and took gray down the next 2 rounds.
Dana’s the man!! Gray deserves the rematch!
I agree with tony to be the champ you got to beat him, and in the judges eyes no one did enough to win so although I like Maynard think Pettis should get the shot, and have maynard fight cerrone or another top guy, I am sick of rematches and seeing the same d@mn people fight over and over again lets breathe some new life into the UFC and see some NEW contenders not the same old fights
I think you meant have Maynard fight Cerrone or A top guy. Cerrone isn’t anywhere near the top of the UFC 155 division since he was barely at the top of the WEC 155 division.
As one who watches all the events it’s getting a little ridiculous seeing immediate rematches happen every month. Both fighters put on a good fight but that’s what happened when you “leave it in the hands of the judges” Maynard was fighting to win a title not retain he couldn’t do so now oh well fight for another shot against a contender. Not to mention they both got hurt nose eyes all of it. Who knows how many months it is before THEY get back in the octo. Anthony pettis is the NEXT in line and one can almost guarentee that 1st round last night HE would have finished the fight. Of course this is IMO. =\
Right after the fight, I thought edgar Gray needed immediate rematch, but I don’t agree with it now. There’s no rule saying draws need rematches. IMO it’s more important to UNIFY wec ufc 155 belts then it is to give Gray a rematch beause it was a close fight. personaly I think Gray should get Guida, winner vs winner of Edgar-Pettis…but I guess it doesn’t matter now. Dana calls the shots…I agree with someone else who said, to be the champ you have to beat the champ, Gray didn’t do that.
I like Edgar in the rematch. Edgar out wrestled Gray, that slam was incredible, Edgar is the true champion. I feel bad for Pettis. I don’t think a rematch is called for, quite frankly I’m a little dissapointed.
I agree completely, Maynard should have to fight another top contender prior to rematch.
But the same thing happening to pettis happened to gray after Frankie beat bj Penn. He had to wait and fight Florian. IMO dw should just not say anything about ‘guaranteeing’ a title shot ever.
You know Mike…things always look different a day or two after an event/fight like last night. like I said, I was quick to say Edgar-Gray should immediate rematch based on all the emotion and outcome of the fight…but sleeping on it, and thinking about it, opinions can change alot, and often the more thought out opinion tends to make more sense.
There is just way too much at stake considering these fighters futures to just make snap decisions immediately after a fight. Lately, I’m really starting to cringe at these post fight conference fights being announced and what not. I wish Dana wouldn’t make announcements for fighters who just fought. Give it time, assess the situation, and make the right decision, right?
You’re right, Gray had to wait for edgar and penn to rematch. The only difference here is, A: alot of people said Penn won the first fight, and controversy was involved. There was little controversy with edgar gray. It was a draw, title did not change hands. And no one can say they got screwed (imo it’s easier to make a argument edgar won then gray, but that doesn’t matter)
B; wec belt HAS TO BE UNIFIED! What does it say about the belt Pettis has, does it not matter? is it worth nothing? no, the belts imo need unification asap so everyone can move on.
pettis-edgar is the fight I think majority of ufc fans think should happen and want to see…Dana has always said he’ll make the fights fans want to see, gray getting a rematch I beleive is not the right decision. Gray better make the most of his rematch, because if he loses he’s got alot of guys to climb through.
Bad call in my book.
Pettis/Edgar to unify, with Maynard getting the winner.
What’s so hard about that?
In the end, I don’t think any of the 3 will hold onto the belt long.
Too many good fighters at that weight.
more alcohol fueled dw interviews please! he is never one 2 pull punches in an interview but he let it hang out here. mazzagatti got it bad and deservedly so. every round there were chances 2 stand up silva & vera but not once did he bother. a stand-up in any round could have allowed vera 2 actually get back in the fight because he did nothing on the ground and actually showed signs of life on his feet. or it could have allowed silva 2 ktfo outta vera like i was hoping for.
Good stuff guys. After reading your thoughts I can see why Maynard getting another shot isn’t above pettis getting his shot. It’s a tough decision to make because gray had his shot but didn’t win and on the other hand pettis was to face the WINNER of this match but there is no winner…AND if Edgar wants another one with Maynard then why not right? No matter what I think fans would have been upset with either decision.
I have to say that I agree that Pettis should be getting the next shot. I too last night thought Gray should have got the rematch, but another poster made a good point….he did’nt win. He did’nt beat the champion. And I also agree that unifying the WEC and UFC belts is what should be next for the lightweight division.
I will say that i’m not disapointed this fight is taking place. After the show they put on last night, it should be even more exciting in the rematch. I think Frankie will win the rematch. I was shocked he seemed to be able to out wrestle Gray pretty easy. I think Gray got one takedown? And I think he hit it while Frankie was still a little dazed. After that, it was all Frankie in the wrestling. Hitting takedowns and stuffing takedowns. I don’t think Gray was expecting that at all.
And I think whoever can win the wrestling in the next fight will win it. And I think that will be Frankie.
I thought about something last night…if Frankie wins the rematch, would’nt they still need to do one more. Cause then it would be tied :)
kidding….
If i was Pettis i would be highly upset.Whats next for Pettis, he just sits on the sideline for the next 6-8 month if not longer waiting to get his shot? They have to unify the belts so if pettis is lucky he will get to fight once this year. Good job DANA….
i want to know if Pettis was talked to at all before dana changed his mind and what was said if so.
First off, what a fight – that was awesome! I can’t believe I even questioned purchasing this PPV – definately worth it. I do believe that Pettis should get the next shot, and then Maynard vs. the unified champion.
So I re-watched the fight last night, and then re-watched again this morning with my “mma scoring sheet” in hand and with a clear head. I scored the fight by strikes, significant strikes, throw-downs, take-downs, take-down defense, leg kicks, submission attempts, etc. If we score the whole 25 minute fight in it’s entirety, Maynard squeeks it out and wins it. If I score the fight round by round which is how it’s done here, Edgar wins it 48-46 by “winning” rounds 2 thru 4 after being bullied in round 1.
Rd 1: Maynard 10-8 decisive, no question about it
Rd 2: Edgar 10-9 decisive, no question about it
Rd 3: Edgar 10-9 just edges, toss up to the judges
Rd 4: Edgar 10-9 decisive, no question about it
Rd 5: Edgar 10-9 just edges, toss up to the judges
I can definately see how the judges scored it 48-46, 46-48, 47-47. I wonder how much of a scoring difference is made depending on where the individual judges sit around the octagon. One judge saw toss-up rounds 3 and 5 for Edgar, one judge saw 3 or 5 for Maynard, and yet another judge saw toss-up rounds 3 and 5 for Maynard. Interesting.
Dana, after a few drinks and a Mazzagati rant, sees things differently, and appears to be giving Maynard an immediate re-match. I am content if the fighters agree to it. “To be champ, you need to beat the champ.” I also see it as, “To remain champ, you need to beat the contender.” Don’t leave it in the hands of the judges, you never know what can happen then. I am looking forward to the re-match!
After reading alot of these post i believe Pettis deserves his shot. Its more important to unify the title than give another shot to a guy who didn’t do all he could to win the title. No disrespect to Maynard but did he really try to win it at all cost? Why does he get another shot at Edgar? He couldn’t win last night so have him match up with a Guida, Penn, Florian, or Cerrone and if he wins he can get another title shot. But don’t just go handing him another title shot. Maynard is a good fighter but aren’t you disrecpting Pettis who is a champion.
Immediate rematch is the wrong move. Unify the titles and the co-main event on the same card should be henderson-maynard for the number one contender.
Couldnt have said it better myself Henderson-Maynard co-main event….Pettis-Edgar for the Belt
great fight and kudos to both fighters but Petis not Maynard should get the next fight. You got your shot, time to get in line Maynard. Dana is giving you a super big late xmas present moving you to the front of the line again …
I scored the fight as a draw. RD1: 10-8 maynard, RD2: 10-9 edgar, RD3: 10-9 maynard, RD4: 10-9 edgar and RD5: 10-9 edgar. Pettis deserves his shot at the main gold. What are they gonna do have him fight someone else in the meantime and defend the WEC title. While it does suck that a true winner wasn’t declaired in the fight. The fact of the matter is that Edgar is still the UFC lightweight champ. The only true loser in this whole mess is Pettis.
The problem I have with making Maynard wait for another title shot is; 1. He put on a great fight and deserves another shot.
2. He was past over for a title shot before because Dana did not think he was ready.
3. It is hard to get to a title shot and to have to get back into line because the fight ended in a draw does not seem right.
Granted Pettis has earned a title shot, but I don’t see how you can not give Maynard another shot with the performance he put on. Also I don’t believe Pettis should have to take another fight before he fights for the title. I think he should get some time off and wait for his shot. Who Knows maybe some time off will do him some good.
But that would mean pettis may not fight for a year or more depending on medical suspensions and injuries. I guess I agree with Chromie and the other posters above in that it is probably more important to unify the wec/ufc title.
Maynard should have finished him when he had the chance instead of going
for that takedown after he had him rocked. I don’t see him beating Edgar in this rematch.
Sorry Maynard, you didn’t win any of the last 4 rounds.
10-8 in the first isn’t going to win the title.
Decision should have gone to Edgar for that gutsy / unreal performance.
What on earth that one judge who gave the fight to maynard was thinking is beyond me.
honestly, I dont think Maynard deserves another chance at the Title, but I know why he is getting it, after that last fight being such a good one, the UFC just wants to make money off of another great fight.
here is how I think of it though, Maynard got lucky in the first round when he cracked Edgar, but some how Edgar survived and recovered(for the most part), now think of it this way, do you think if the fight had been 10 rounds that Maynard would have survived them all?
I doubt it, he won 1 round in that fight, and that was because of 1 good punch….does that deserve a rematch in your eyes?
although I have 2 admit, I cant wait 2 see there next fight, it will be a great fast paced fight, and in my opinion it will be better than this one. (which is hard, I loved this fight)