• UFC 136

Double trouble as UFC 136 goes title crazy

October 8, 2011

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Gold is the prize on offer for two of Saturday's biggest winners in Houston as the UFC lightweight and featherweight titles go on the line. The co-main event features highly-feared champion, Jose Aldo, looking to completely shut off the championship hopes of Kenny Florian for the last time. Then comes the main event, where an altogether less authoritative champion, Frankie Edgar, bids for third-time lucky against the only man to have ever beaten him - Gray Maynard.

All-in-all, it has to be the biggest night of the UFC calendar. Seven bouts feature fighters who have headlined a UFC or WEC event in the past; we register our picks below...

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Frankie Edgar v Gray Maynard

Where the fight could be won or lost: We've seen this match-up play out for eight rounds. Not saying it can't or won't surprise us - but there's a feeling that we know what to expect. Frankie Edgar has to move. He's going to pop in and out as he did in the first fight. He's going to throw punches, two, three at a time and get out of there. Force Gray Maynard to move around, wearing him out in the process. Frustrate him. Get the takedown when that frustration gets him to move forward. Don't get hit (for God's sake, don't get hit!).

For Maynard, it's keep up with him. Cut off the Octagon. Get him feeling more comfortable throwing punches as he's chasing a guy around. Standing and throwing is different from chasing and throwing. Take risks, know you can recover. Finish the fight. It's not quite fact, but it's close - Edgar can't finish Maynard, but Maynard can finish Edgar. Combine Edgar's size and style, plus Maynard's chin, and it's difficult to see a KO for the champ. Nor a submission, as his best shot is a choke and Maynard isn't weak there. Edgar has to fight perfectly. Maynard can make a mistake and still win.

The pick: Frankie Edgar - Unanimous decision

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Jose Aldo v Kenny Florian

Where the fight could be won or lost: Quite possibly the last opportunity for Florian to win a UFC title, and this fight is arguably more winnable than against BJ Penn in 2009. Florian has crisp striking, but his greatest strength is his tenacity on the ground. His elbows are razor blades, and we haven't really seen how Jose Aldo handles the sight of his own blood, something that can drain a fighter's will.

Florian, though, is going to have a hard time getting this fight where he wants it. Aldo's speed is a takedown defence in itself. He's incredibly hard to wrap up and he's got great balance, which will negate Florian's single-leg attempts. Florian can really try to catch leg kicks, but that's a tough sell. The inside of his lead leg is going to take a beating if he's unsuccessful. Florian outfought Aldo's teammate Diego Nunes in June using an intelligent, methodical approach. Aldo's offence is in another world, though. Experience showed against Nunes; it won't against Aldo.

The pick: Jose Aldo - TKO

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Chael Sonnen v Brian Stann

Where the fight could be won or lost: Stann has boosted his career by moving down to 185. He's quicker at this weight and he's maintained his power from 205. He's added more kicks and knees to his repertoire and he's good offensively from the clinch. The one concern for Stann in particular for this fight is he's apt to getting sucked into leaning forward on his punches during exchanges, which will leave him vulnerable to a takedown.

Funny thing about Sonnen is, even in fights he dominates, he often gets beat up. That's because he likes to constantly move forward and his head movement isn't spectacular enough to miss the oncoming punches. But he's durable and he's a workhorse and that's what makes him successful. A southpaw, he's accurate with his punches and his takedown threat might prevent Stann from fully unloading. It's been a long and turbulent 14 months since Sonnen last fought in the Octagon. He seems mentally strong enough to not allow it to affect him, but we shouldn't ignore that during that same time, Stann has been developing and his confidence has been growing. But Sonnen is so durable and just methodical on the ground.

The pick: Chael Sonnen - Unanimous decision

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Leonard Garcia v Nam Phan

The pick: Nam Phan - Submission

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Joe Lauzon v Melvin Guillard

The pick: Melvin Guillard - TKO

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Demian Maia v Jorge Santiago

The pick: Demian Maia - Submission

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Anthony Pettis v Jeremy Stephens

The pick: Anthony Pettis - Unanimous decision

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