Frank Edgar vs Matt Wiman UFC Fight for the Troops bout in the works

by MMAmania.com on Sep 23, 2008 12:36 PM EDT Comment 57 comments

frank edgar matt wiman

There's a an exciting lightweight clash between Frank Edgar (9-1) and Matt Wiman brewing for UFC Fight Night 16: "Fight for the Troops" at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C., on December 10.

MMAmania.com recently learned about the potential 155-pound bout; however, bout agreements have not been signed (though have been distributed to both fighters).

Edgar recently rebounded from the first professional loss of his career to Gray Maynard (unanimous decision) at UFC Fight Night 13 to outpoint former number one contender Hermes Franca on all three judges scorecards at UFC Fight Night 14: "Silva vs. Irvin" in July.

The latter bout was dubbed the "Fight of the Night," earning Edgar and Franca each an additional $25,000 for their performances. It came as no surprise -- Edgar is often involved in action-packed battles.

And the match up with "Handsome" should be no different.

Wiman has been impressive since his stint on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5, finishing three of four fights and winning them all. He demonstrated dangerous knockout power with a second round upset of Thiago Tavares at UFC 85: "Bedlam" back in June of this year.

He has four wins in five attempts inside the Octagon -- his only loss was to a man who Edgar defeated at UFC 78: "Validation" in November 2007, Spencer Fisher.

UFC Fight Night 16: "Fight for the Troops" will pay tribute to the United States servicemen and women serving in the armed forces. The three-hour Spike TV broadcast will coincide with a telethon during which viewers will be encouraged to call in and donate money to support the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

The card features two welterweight clashes between Josh Koscheck and Yoshiyuki Yoshida, as well as Mike Swick against Jonathan Goulet. It's likely that the match up between Edgar and Wiman -- if it gets signed -- will join these two bouts on the televised main card.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates and rumors regarding UFC Fight Night 16: "Fight for the Troops."

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Comments

I got Frankie in this match up. The Pace he sets from the bell is insane.

by PhilQNY on Sep 23, 2008 12:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I agree Phil. I like Wiman and I think he is making a lot of improvement. His fight against Tavares was fight of the year caliber but Edgar is just ferocious. I would be very surprised if Edgar lost this fight. Frankie has a very solid chin so Wiman has his work cut out for him.

All in all, this is a very solid match up for a UF card. No complaints out of me.

by john on Sep 23, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is shaping into a pretty good card but its a shame that Cain Vallesquez might not be ready to fight Al-Turk by then. He has been given 2 weeks to see if he will be able to go by December 10th.

by john on Sep 23, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Got Wiman, I have this feeling that he’s going to win, hopfully he’ll be able to stop Edgars takedowns, becuase thats all he has. War WIMAN!!!!!

by Chase on Sep 23, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That will be very dissapointing if Cain can’t fight on the 10th. I can’t wait to see him again. He made me an instant fan after he pounded “The Blankets” face into the canvas! Any word on a main event?

by BNF on Sep 23, 2008 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No idea what the main event will be. maybe Koschek vs. Yopshida?

by john on Sep 23, 2008 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cain is definitely out. MMAWeekly is reporting that the Al-Turk has already agreed to fight Cheick Kongo at UFC 92 instead.

by Scott on Sep 23, 2008 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why john? i have a feeling you have a complaint brewed up before hand lol jk

by santiago69us on Sep 23, 2008 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the fight card is on wikipedia for some reason and it has Chuck Liddell vs Stephan Bonner listed

by dr13 on Oct 4, 2008 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I got Edgar. He will be too much for Wiman to handle.

by the_mexicutioner on Sep 23, 2008 12:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this fight goes one of two ways: Frankie wins a close, but not too close decision; or Matt wiman chokes him out.

im going with matt wiman. i’ve been a fan since he got flying knee’d by spencer, and was hopin he’d be one of the guys to win tuf 5 (there was like, 4 of em i wanted to win, ha)

so yeah, wiman by rnc, rd 2.

by sinister on Sep 23, 2008 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No way Frankie loses by RNC, he’s been training his BJJ with Ricardo Almeida for months and I train there as well, so I know first hand that rear-naked’s are just the tip of the iceberg in Almeida’s BJJ game and that transcends down to each of us as well. Frankie is gonna be on point just like he was against Franca. Edgar wins this without a doubt.

by Matt on Sep 23, 2008 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea, frankie should win this but who knows. It should have been Tavares in there. To this day, i cannot understand how Wiman KO’ed tavares, probly never will.

by NameNotRequired on Sep 23, 2008 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

“To this day, i cannot understand how Wiman KO’ed tavares, probly never will.”

I believe it’s called a stiff right hook to the jaw…kinda hard to wrap your head around I guess.

by Scott on Sep 23, 2008 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh you better believe Edgar is gonna win this one, there is no way Wiman can beat him.

by Liddell-Marquardt-GSP-Sherk on Sep 23, 2008 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, no matter, Tavares will have his day. Wiman will lose coz he doesn’t have good enough wrestling-possible LnP due to vast gap in wrestling skills.

by NameNotRequired on Sep 23, 2008 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

darn, i was hoping for a Guida/Edgar match-up. maybe it will still happen.

by kneetotheface on Sep 23, 2008 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that would be a war

by brendan on Sep 23, 2008 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

all out!

by The Negation on Sep 24, 2008 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really don’t get this matchup for Frankie. Matt Wiman is definitely a step down from fighting Hermes, Spence, & Gray. I know a lot of other lightweights are booked up but damn!

I would love to see Frankie vs. Guida!

by miarep on Sep 23, 2008 12:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wiman is far from a step down for Edgar. I believe the two are very evenly matched. Both are 4-1 in the UFC, and although Edgar has faced stiffer competition (Griffin, Fisher, Franca), Wiman is on a 4-fight win streak finishing all but 1 of them.

Edgar definitely has the wrestling advantage, but I think Wiman’s BJJ is a bit slicker, as evidenced in his fight with Tavares. As far striking, I think Edgar’s boxing is better and more technical, but Wiman has more power and better kicks/knees.

Overall, a great fight and one I’ve been hoping for!

by Scott on Sep 23, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Edgar could take on BJ Penn if he ever gets a shot… I thought Sherk could have done it also because boh these guys have tremendous cardio and pace, but sherk just stood in front of Penn for 3 rounds which was absolutely the WRONG game plan, if Edgar does what he did to Franca for five rounds he has a shot, I dont think Penn will be ready for that onslaught

by brendan on Sep 23, 2008 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude, Penn will lover lose to Edgar, and I’m pretty sure edgar is going to lose to Wiman, He’s extreamly underrated (wiman).

by Chase on Sep 23, 2008 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never* Not lover hah.

by Chase on Sep 23, 2008 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wiman looked really good last time he fought. I wouldn’t underestimate him. However, we all know Frankie is tenacious and never gives up. I think this is a good match up and will a good scrap.

by DSmith on Sep 23, 2008 12:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, should be an exciting fight!

Anybody know who the main event is yet?

by BNF on Sep 23, 2008 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Im gonna go ahead and pick Handsome upsetting Frankie. Frankie is just too small and Wiman has impressed the hell out of me since he came out of TUF.

by JRV on Sep 23, 2008 1:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I want to pick Wiman too but I just can’t ever count out Frankie.

by DSmith on Sep 23, 2008 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i’ll second you on that one ….. wiman has really put his game in full swing ever since the TUF show….and i think he will be to big for frankie …… i say edgar goes to 145 so we can see faber really get challenged

by wm133 on Sep 23, 2008 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wiman for the upset! He looked superb against Tavares who I think is one of the most talented guys in the division.

Awesome match up though. The lightweight division is stacked!

by Chris on Sep 23, 2008 1:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Matt also went the distance v Huerta a while back too.the guys got heart and a chin to boot

by McArthur on Sep 23, 2008 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Either way you pick in this fight it is still gonna be a good one and im looking forward to it

by Toad on Sep 23, 2008 1:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Anderson Silva retirement talk put to BED!!!!

HERE ARE some quotes from the “spiders” manager Ed Soares talking about the retirement and Anderson’s relationship with the UFC and Dana:

"Dana hasn’t done anything to f*** over Silva,"

"It’s the complete opposite. Dana has been very good to Anderson."

"I can guarantee you Anderson will not be retiring within the next year. He still has 6 fights on his contract."

by john on Sep 23, 2008 1:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

NICE! That retirement quote must have been taken out of context and or translated incorrectly. There are so many good fights at 205, I hope he just moves up for the challenge!

by BNF on Sep 23, 2008 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What’s that another 1 1/2- 2 yrs? Excellent!

by DSmith on Sep 23, 2008 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I think that eventually if Machida cant win the title, Silva will take a run at it!

by john on Sep 23, 2008 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Machida doesn’t get the belt, I think Anderson has proved himself enough to get an immediate shot, whoever is holding the belt. My prediction would be Wandi, what a title fight that would be!

by BNF on Sep 23, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree…the fact that it only took him 2 rnds to beat Hendo (albeit at 185) says the guy is ready for ANY top 5 LHW

by McArthur on Sep 23, 2008 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow, a match i care about on a ufn. crazy.

by Bill Maher on Sep 23, 2008 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

really likin Handsome…he’s got a solid chin and can throw some bombs

by McArthur on Sep 23, 2008 2:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Frankie can handle Hermes Franca on the ground, I am sure he should have a field day against Matt Wiman. But I am rooting for Matt.

by "Mr. NC-17" on Sep 23, 2008 4:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m a big fan of Wiman. That was a huge win over Taveres and he’s improved wonders since TUF5. I’d like to see him get this win, it’ll be tough though. Edgar’s been on a tear, minus Maynard.

by Joey 1.0 on Sep 23, 2008 4:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope matt can pull this one off, frankie’s lay and pray is starting to get on my nerves..

by shamo84 on Sep 23, 2008 4:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It seems like the only person who can stop the takedowns of Edgar was, Maynard. Wiman isnt half the wrestler Gray is. i see Edgar winning by Decision

by belfort_fan on Sep 23, 2008 5:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I got Frankie here as well – he shouldnt have lost to Maynard imo, if they fought again Frankie would dismantle him.

I’m guessing Frankie has learned how to use his quickness against bigger/stronger guys since being manhandled by Maynard – which is bad news against Wiman.

by jerrolds on Sep 23, 2008 6:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Are you calling Hermes a Bigger Guy? you are dumb, and Maynard would beat edgar everytime they fight.

by Chase on Sep 23, 2008 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

um…what? he destroyed hermes who ISNT a bigger guy. Guys that are similiar size he has no problems with (Griffin, Franca, Fisher) his only loss is from a bigger lw (Maynard)

I have no doubt that Frankie would tool Maynard next time they fight

by jerrolds on Sep 24, 2008 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hermes is alot bigger than Edgar. Maynard would beat Edgar 10 out of 10 times. gueranteed

by belfort_fan on Sep 24, 2008 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wiman took the fisher fight on short notice he had some success in the fight before he got cocky dropped his hands and ate a knee. he has matured quite a bit, i dont know if he will be an upper level fighter but he will always come to fight.

by day1er on Sep 23, 2008 6:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

why is Frankie even fighting this guy. he should be fighting contenders! not Matt.

by GEEZZZZ on Sep 23, 2008 6:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like this fight, but the one I really wanted was Frankie Edgar vs Clay Guida. Can you imagine how that fight would go down? Two excellent wrestlers who are cardio machines. Another thing that makes the Edgar vs Wiman bout interesting is that Frankie didn’t get picked for TUF 5, which Wiman appeared on.

by DB on Sep 23, 2008 7:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So they picked Andy Wang and Gabe Rudiger over Frankie Edgar for TUF 5? What? And wasn’t Clay Guida a TUF 5 rejection? What the hell man.. Well, in hindsight, if they were accepted onto TUF, then we wouldn’t have seen both of them fight Tyson Griffin at UFC 67/72.

Go Matt Wiman.

by sinister on Sep 23, 2008 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Noone wants to see WIMAN. YES WE LIKE EDGAR BUT WIMAN JUST IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH dana has kept him kicking around becuse he’s “handsome” thats it

by GORANDY on Sep 23, 2008 8:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He’s won all his UFC fights but one, your an idiot.

by Chase on Sep 23, 2008 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

great match-up, frankies definitely got the edge here. but wiman is a whole different fighter then his tuf days, i for one wont count him out.

by medecine balls on Sep 23, 2008 8:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Frankie will dominate this fight…I dont get it though Edgar consistabtly wins fight of the night and the UFC never puts him on a PPV card and keeps giving him average apponents! I want to see what he can do against the best. He went from possibly fighting Florian to now fighting handsome on a military base?