Will the 'great storyline' behind a Gray Maynard rematch help Frankie Edgar become a more marketable champion?
by Jesse Holland on Sep 2, 2010 11:13 AM EDT
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Props: It's Time! With Bruce Buffer
Quoteworthy:
"It's going to take time, just like it took time for GSP to be considered to be the best welterweight because Matt Hughes was so good for so long. Now GSP has so many wins and people think he's the best. It just takes time for me to get my respect and that's how it works. You have to earn your time ... Being a marketable champion takes time. I've got to get some more exposure. I've been in the main event on the main card two times in a row and that helps out some. As far as the storyline goes, I think it's a great storyline. [Gray Maynard] got a win over me and I've got the title. He's worked his way up and is undefeated. My only loss is to him. I think it's a great storyline. People will want to see that."
UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar recognizes the long road ahead in his quest to be considered one of the sport's great champions. "The Answer" has done the hard part, which is lasting ten rounds with former division kingpin BJ Penn and taking two unanimous decision wins from "The Prodigy." Can the New Jersey native now win over the fans too? Or does his style of offense work against him? Perhaps finishing the undefeated Gray Maynard would be a great way to win over some of the anti-Edgars. What's your opinion of the champ?
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No people wont want to see it
Gonna have to be one almighty stacked card to sell PPV’s if you and Maynard are headlining it.
The timing seems like it could be on the NYE card.
So they better stack the shit out of it if that is the case.
To be the best you gotta be one crazy son of a bitch…and that’s the truth - BJ Penn
LW's are the smallest draw to start with.
BJ didn’t become a big draw until he moved up and fought Hughes but even his LW fights have been low on the scale as far as any other championship fight goes. Maynard and Frankie might be the second best draw besides BJ vs almost anybody but thats not saying much. I think these guys need to be added to a card with another championship belt on the line so fans can see these guys in action. This fight is going to be an awsome war! Even a Carwin comeback added with them will do enough, I think. This fight I’m looking forward too and will be watching no matter what though and I think we will see a new champ boys.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
I am a fan of Edgar if he continues to fight this way. All he needs to do is to mix in some subs and he has the whole package.
"Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. Only enemies speak the truth.
-Stephen King
Looks like he's grabbing Gray's whole package
Both fighters have a boring style. That is what will hurt selling either as the champ. Frankie just hits and runs the whole fight and gray just follows the Jon Fitch blue print for winning an mma fight. Neither never really getting into a war which is what makes guys stand out in fans eyes. It’s either be a warrior like Leonard Garcia or a finisher like Chuck used to be. That is how you become more marketable. It’s that or go to Chael Sonnen’s school on how to sell fights
Edgar's first fight with Tyson Griffin was pretty awesome.
"Long shall we remember
He who walked the road of danger
Master of revenge
Death's no stranger
Blood and death lived on his sword
The god of war his only lord
Into the depths of hell
Go all he fell"
- Manowar hymn of the immortal warriors
by O damn he got caught on Sep 2, 2010 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
It depends on your criteria. I like finishes, too. Hell, who doesn't? However, Edgar shows alot of skill and a true MMA game - mixing it up and keeping your opponent off balance. Let me know when Garcia wins a title and you might have something there.
"Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. Only enemies speak the truth.
-Stephen King
Thank you, AK. Sometimes I feel alone when I argue these points.
"Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. Only enemies speak the truth.
-Stephen King
No way man.
We all love a back and forth war and/or a finish, but to me, this is a sport, not a spectacle. You said it best when you said edgar showed a lot of skill and a true MMA game-there is nothing unimpressive about the way he handled BJ.
by Andrew Keller on Sep 2, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Most the other champs have a reputation of finishing fights
GSP has had a couple decisions here recently but before that he was finishing guys left and right. Brock has only gone to 1 decision. Anderson goes to a decision if he’s fucking around and admittedly those are probably the worst of the bunch. And Shogun’s a known finisher. Every guy that holds a belt has that sense about them. When you watch them fight you think “don’t blink, this could end at any time.” But personally I don’t get the same feeling watching Edgar or Maynard. Not that they aren’t top quality, but they just aren’t known for finishing guys. That’s why I don’t see either of them really being “superstar” material.
"Long shall we remember
He who walked the road of danger
Master of revenge
Death's no stranger
Blood and death lived on his sword
The god of war his only lord
Into the depths of hell
Go all he fell"
- Manowar hymn of the immortal warriors
by O damn he got caught on Sep 2, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Not gonna argue this either Odamn
the finishers for sure get more “superstar” status. Take Okami for instance, dude is a great fighter with a great record, but lacks the superstar stauts cause hes not a known finisher. But hes been top 10 for years.
by Andrew Keller on Sep 2, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Cannot agree with that.
I’d much rather see Edgar fight.
For the last 3 years, every GSP fight has been the same.
You might as well go to a high school football practice and watch tackling dummy drills.
Scoring is what really needs to change so that LnP goes away.
Talking about marketing not who's a better fighter.
Granted Garcia is not gonna be a champion of champions anytime soon if ever. The point here is marketing and I would rather watch Leonard Garcia fight than Frankie Edgar is really all my ppoint was trying to make
Ok, that's fair.
"Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. Only enemies speak the truth.
-Stephen King
by OJR on Sep 2, 2010 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Great point OJR, even though Frankie didn't finish his speed and style are exciting.
Personally I love Maynards game, he is a bully and reminds me a lot of Hughes minus the JJ maybe with even more strength for his weight.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
´"which is lasting ten rounds with former division kingpin BJ Penn"?
Seriously? lol
Not an Edgar-fan at all, but the last 5 rounds was a beatdown. Calling it “lasting” is downgrading his performance.
by Zlatan, My Hero on Sep 2, 2010 11:23 AM EDT reply actions
agreed
subconsciously people seem to have a hard time having the little guy be champion but it’s true, lol.
REMEMBER ME. i will be in the ufc one day. Mark my words
by PrettyBoyy91 on Feb 18, 2010 2:06 PM PST
Yes. I had that as a complete sweep, 5 to 0. No doubt about it.
"Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. Only enemies speak the truth.
-Stephen King
sadly, I did as well
I questioned the decision in the first fight, it was close. This was not close in any sense of the word.
Not only does BJ Penn quit on his stool versus guys that are bigger than him...He gets tooled by guys that are SMALLER than him. BJ should just stick to jumping out of pools, not fighting. I shoulda listened to Ulf.
With BJ out of the picture I could see the LW division belt getting passed around like the 205 lbs division belt now
"Long shall we remember
He who walked the road of danger
Master of revenge
Death's no stranger
Blood and death lived on his sword
The god of war his only lord
Into the depths of hell
Go all he fell"
- Manowar hymn of the immortal warriors
by O damn he got caught on Sep 2, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
GD
I hope BJ isn’t “out of the picture”. Things will be very clear once we see who the Beej is lined up to fight next and how he performs there. Personally, I only want to see Kenny or Gomi. No filler crap. Get to it. When BJ runs through one or both of those guys, he can fight the #1 contendor (which will likely be Frankie again). If he loses to Frankie 3 times, hang ’em up Beej.
Not only does BJ Penn quit on his stool versus guys that are bigger than him...He gets tooled by guys that are SMALLER than him. BJ should just stick to jumping out of pools, not fighting. I shoulda listened to Ulf.
I doubt the UFC will let BJ fight Frankie for the 3rd time.
If Gray beats Edgar (Which he will) it puts BJ in a interesting situation. If BJ strings together 2 wins against top LW’s will they let him get a shot at Gray?
Long live 'THE PRODIGY'
Jose Aldo
cant wait till Aldo moves up and shows who really is the best
lets see Aldo and Henderson first
Not only does BJ Penn quit on his stool versus guys that are bigger than him...He gets tooled by guys that are SMALLER than him. BJ should just stick to jumping out of pools, not fighting. I shoulda listened to Ulf.
you are right!
Aldo is a fantastic fighter, but lets see first how he deals with the size and strength difference in the WEC lw division before we start mentioning him in UFC fights
My Top MMA Talents
1. Jon ''Bones'' Jones
2. Anthony ''Showtime'' Pettis
3. Phil ''Mr. Wonderful'' Davis
4. Terry Etim
5. Patricio ''Pitbull'' Freire
by robinhorobson on Sep 2, 2010 12:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
maybe not now
but 3 fights from now. He is going to have to beat Frankie if he every wants that belt again. My opinion. You never know how these things will play out.
Oh and you suck.
Not only does BJ Penn quit on his stool versus guys that are bigger than him...He gets tooled by guys that are SMALLER than him. BJ should just stick to jumping out of pools, not fighting. I shoulda listened to Ulf.
I don't think there is a lot of interest in a Kenny rematch.
There seems to be a lot more for a Gomi rematch though. Book it. He said he wants a fight as soon as possible. Which makes me optimistic about his future.
To be the best you gotta be one crazy son of a bitch…and that’s the truth - BJ Penn
I don't understand why there wouldn't be
Everyone is talking like BJ is done. If that is true, then Kenny should be able to roll through him.
Not only does BJ Penn quit on his stool versus guys that are bigger than him...He gets tooled by guys that are SMALLER than him. BJ should just stick to jumping out of pools, not fighting. I shoulda listened to Ulf.
Agree Deuce right now only one fighter has his number that we know of, I won't be betting against him against anyone else style wise especially?
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
Which will it be??
Edgar by switching it up or grayNpray??
At least, GSP finished fights before he was a champion
I’d rather see Gomi fight BJ if happens.
Gay n pray will win. We will be forced to see his tramp stamp for five rounds.
by p rock on Sep 2, 2010 11:35 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Does Gray have one of those?
Went to my first jits class. Don't think I was ever so happy with getting my ass handed to me
Sure does. An eagle. Looking for a cave apparently
by p rock on Sep 2, 2010 11:58 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
If he finishes Maynard
Of course he’ll convert fans. But he won’t be finishing him at all. Unless he lets Gray slam him so he KO’s himself again
Went to my first jits class. Don't think I was ever so happy with getting my ass handed to me
Edgar
After his first win against Penn, and with Evans’ win over Rampage I thought “speed” was a something of a microtrend in MMA, a sport that’s still rapidly evolving. So while he won’t be able to deliver knockouts and other spectacular stuff that fans want to see, his fighting style might actually be the future of MMA. He is a true champion.
But being marketable is also his responsibility. It does not take much more than casually mentioning some of your fellow fighters suggesting how they do not measure up, and you’ve got your next fight hyped.
I surely could not resist the jab at the competition had it been my arm raised for victory over BJ…
REMEMBER ME. i will be in the ufc one day. Mark my words
by PrettyBoyy91 on Feb 18, 2010 2:06 PM PST
Stylistically this has snoozer written all over it
Neither guy is really a finisher, so this is almost guaranteed to go 5 rds. If it goes Edgars way it’ll be outpointing Maynard in the stand up; if it goes Maynards way it’ll be lay n pray. If this is the main event I will be shocked; I guarantee this is a co main event fight.
"Long shall we remember
He who walked the road of danger
Master of revenge
Death's no stranger
Blood and death lived on his sword
The god of war his only lord
Into the depths of hell
Go all he fell"
- Manowar hymn of the immortal warriors
by O damn he got caught on Sep 2, 2010 11:46 AM EDT reply actions
consider though:
REMEMBER ME. i will be in the ufc one day. Mark my words
by PrettyBoyy91 on Feb 18, 2010 2:06 PM PST
Here's the thing..
it was a dominating performance where he outpointed Penn for 5 rds; it was impressive, but he was never really close to finishing the fight. There were very few moments of real high tension/excitement like when you see a narrow sub escape or a guy rocked and wobbly on his legs trying to fend of punch’s and stay alive.
And that’s EVERY Edgar fight; solid fighter, great all around game; just lacking those highlight reel “oh shit” moments.
"Long shall we remember
He who walked the road of danger
Master of revenge
Death's no stranger
Blood and death lived on his sword
The god of war his only lord
Into the depths of hell
Go all he fell"
- Manowar hymn of the immortal warriors
by O damn he got caught on Sep 2, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
That's also why I didn't figure they'd get fight of the night
Given the pace of the fight and just the way it was going I really never got the sense that “this could end at any moment.” There was no tension, after 1-2 rds it just got predictable.
"Long shall we remember
He who walked the road of danger
Master of revenge
Death's no stranger
Blood and death lived on his sword
The god of war his only lord
Into the depths of hell
Go all he fell"
- Manowar hymn of the immortal warriors
by O damn he got caught on Sep 2, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
He didn't give up dammit
He made it 5 rounds. He had no answers. If he hadn’t tried mixing it up with takendowns late in the fight, I would agree with you. But since he was trying to do different shit, even though his corner offered no valuable advice, I have to think he was still looking for a way to win. He got manhandled, no doubt, but he was never close to being finished.
Not only does BJ Penn quit on his stool versus guys that are bigger than him...He gets tooled by guys that are SMALLER than him. BJ should just stick to jumping out of pools, not fighting. I shoulda listened to Ulf.
He was tired deuce, not giving up though.
He knew he was down but couldn’t do anything because he was tired.
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson
I love to watch Frankie!
It’s Gray, whom I like, but he’s no that exciting to watch!
"Is this website for sale?"
by Danas A Crossdresser on Sep 2, 2010 11:57 AM EDT reply actions
There's always a chance it could be exciting
If Gray at least sets up the TD’s with strikes and Edgar can create a few exciting scrambles it could be interesting. But more than likely one style will overwhelm the other and we’ll just see 5 perdictable rds of one fighter outpointing the other guy.
"Long shall we remember
He who walked the road of danger
Master of revenge
Death's no stranger
Blood and death lived on his sword
The god of war his only lord
Into the depths of hell
Go all he fell"
- Manowar hymn of the immortal warriors
by O damn he got caught on Sep 2, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Will the 'great storyline' behind a Gray Maynard rematch help?
No. It’s not really a great storyline and storylines are overrated anyway. If a guy is fighting to raise money to cure his Mom’s anal cancer or whatnot, that might be a great story. But if he’s a boring fighter, I still don’t care that much about the fight.
"Give a man a match, and he'll be warm for a minute, but set him on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
Fan of: Cole Miller, Dentist Neer, Alan Belcher, Bones Jones, Frank Mir
Nope..
the LW belt is going to be thrown around now with people defeding it once or maybe twice. The belt will be held by a few people and shifted around much like the LHW belt has been as of recently.
Undisputed Sig Bet Champion on the TitoOrtiz/Fight Pros forums!!
BJ Penn, best P4P fighter on the planet. I'll still stand by that all day long, bitches.
Always have respected Shogun Rua.
8-7-10 Anderson Silva was destroyed and exposed.
R.I.P. Dime and Ryan Gracie.
To play devil’s advocate, if Frank gets by Gray, who would take the belt from him? For me, even though Frank is not the most exciting, I am hoping he has a long run in him.
"Give a man a match, and he'll be warm for a minute, but set him on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
Fan of: Cole Miller, Dentist Neer, Alan Belcher, Bones Jones, Frank Mir
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