UFC 125 – Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard 2 Prediction

Fight Overview:  A huge rematch, this time with the Lightweight belt on the line.  Maynard dominated Edgar the first time with his superior wrestling.  Can Edgar prevent the takedown and press his advantage on the feet, or will this be a five round replay of their last meeting?

Maynard’s Strengths:  Maynard has a good chin, good cardio, freakish physical strength, and dominant wrestling and positional control.

Maynard’s Weaknesses:  He doesn’t have much in the way of standup and his offense is predictable and one-dimensional.

Edgar’s Strengths:  Edgar has solid wrestling, decent submissions, and great boxing with good accuracy, handspeed, movement, and footwork.

Edgar’s Weaknesses:  In their last fight, Edgar had no answer whatsoever for Maynard’s wrestling and top control, and it’s not like his wrestling has grown leaps and bounds since then.

The Verdict:  I think this fight will play out just like their first one.  Edgar’s striking has come a very long way, but he still can’t keep Maynard from taking him down and grinding out a decision from top position.  Edgar will make it a fight, but Maynard’s takedowns and top control will earn him the win and the belt.