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Will the 'great storyline' behind a Gray Maynard rematch help Frankie Edgar become a more marketable champion?

Maynard-slam_medium

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.

by attakdog on Sep 2, 2010 11:21 AM EDT reply actions  

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

by BNF on Sep 2, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions  

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

by Puck Head on Sep 2, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

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

by OJR on Sep 2, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions  

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

by getrawbc on Sep 2, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

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  

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

by OJR on Sep 2, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

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.

by K S on Sep 2, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

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

by getrawbc on Sep 2, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

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

by Puck Head on Sep 2, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

´"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

by FightDeluxe on Sep 2, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions  

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

by OJR on Sep 2, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions  

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.

by Deuce02 on Sep 2, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

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.

by Deuce02 on Sep 2, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

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'

by PENNorDIE* on Sep 2, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

Jose Aldo

cant wait till Aldo moves up and shows who really is the best

by p rock on Sep 2, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

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.

by Deuce02 on Sep 2, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

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.

by Deuce02 on Sep 2, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

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

by BNF on Sep 2, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

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.

by Deuce02 on Sep 2, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

Which will it be??

Edgar by switching it up or grayNpray??

by yoda12345667 on Sep 2, 2010 11:25 AM EDT reply actions  

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

by IrishKev on Sep 2, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions  

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

by IrishKev on Sep 2, 2010 11:37 AM EDT reply actions  

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

by FightDeluxe on Sep 2, 2010 11:42 AM EDT reply actions  

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

by FightDeluxe on Sep 2, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

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.

by Deuce02 on Sep 2, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

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

by Puck Head on Sep 2, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

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  

I don’t care about this fight, I hope UFC stacks the card.

by NateDogg77 on Sep 2, 2010 12:04 PM 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

by Pootwich on Sep 2, 2010 12:32 PM EDT reply actions  

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.

by xxBAxx816 on Sep 2, 2010 1:19 PM EDT reply actions  

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

by Pootwich on Sep 2, 2010 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

Disagree. If maynard takes this I don’t see many guys in the LW division with TDD good enough to stop his gameplan.

"A lot of times, you beat a person who beat a person who can beat you. I mean, it doesn’t make any sense." – Joe Rogan

by RRRenan on Sep 13, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

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