Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar Will Settle Unfinished Business in UFC 125

2011 will start off with a bang in the world of MMA. The highly anticipated rematch between Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar is finally approaching. Maynard will finally get the title shot he has been waiting for: The opportunity to fulfill a life long dream of becoming a champion and putting the belt around his waist. 

Maynard will face off against current lightweight champion, Frankie Edgar, who recently dethroned UFC legend BJ Penn. After Frankie Edgar seized the belt from Penn with a unanimous decision, Edgar would defend his title against BJ in a rematch to prove to the fans that his claim to the title wasn't a fluke.

After besting BJ Penn and making it clear that BJ's reign was over, what he had to do next was clear. A rematch with the only person to defeat the him—Gray "The Bully" Maynard.

Gray Maynard bullied Frankie Edgar in their last encounter, the current champ's one and only loss. Since then, Frankie Edgar has evolved into a much more skilled fighter. The fighter who beat BJ Penn is a different fighter than the one who lost to Maynard.

Likewise Gray Maynard has also evolved and stepped up his game as he made his way through top UFC lightweight contenders such as Kenny Florian, Nate Diaz and Roger Huerta just to name a few. 

Some say Frankie Edgar has improved so much that he has excelled far beyond Maynard. Others ask why the outcome would be any different from their last fight as Maynard is much stronger and would "Bully" him once more.

On January 1, 2011 these questions will be answered. Two gladiators and their paths will meet once more. This time much more is at stake—The UFC Lightweight belt as well as careers.

For Frankie Edgar, it is a matter of retaining the title and credibility he worked so hard for. After his first win over BJ Penn, many UFC fans did not give him the credit he deserved. For many, he was just one of those guys who got lucky—A Buster Douglas of MMA.

Many thought he would lose the belt to Penn in a rematch. These naysayers were sadly mistaken as he held on to the belt with all his will.

The will of Frankie Edgar will be put to the test on fight night as Gray Maynard has been waiting for a title shot for a long time. In fact, before Frankie Edgar fought BJ Penn for the title, Gray was already in the discussion. UFC fans wanted to know when Gray Maynard would get a title shot, as Maynard has been a top contender in the UFC for some time. Well, it is finally here, now.

I have a feeling we will see a Gray Maynard we have never seen before.

Why? There is a lot at stake for Maynard as well. There may even be more at stake for Maynard than the current champ: Achieving his goal in life by being the UFC Champion, a company brand that rests upon his shoulders and even a budding movie career as he is co starring in the new MMA movie with Ving Rhames and Ernie Reyes Jr. entitled "Submission."

Most of all, an unblemished record in the UFC which speaks volumes. 

Although critiques say he doesn't finish fights, they are omitting some key points. After defeating Frankie Edgar, Gray Maynard went on to fight five southpaws, and all five fighters were top guys that don't get finished, like Kenny Florian for instance. Let's face it, Kenny Florian is no push over. Florian is actually known as a finisher but was unable to finish the undefeated Gray Maynard.

Gray Maynard had this to say in regards to his list of victims,"I’ve been the guy that never tried to not take a fight because it’s a bad style matchup. I think I took the guys that no one was really jumping out to ask for."

Whether facing Kenny Florian, Nate Diaz or Roger Huerta, Gray Maynard remains undefeated in the UFC. Not an easy thing to do. The current champ couldn't do it. This is why Edgar is so driven to fight Maynard. To prove he is the best lightweight in the league by beating a man no one has ever beaten in the UFC. 

“I’m very excited to be fighting New Year’s Day against a fighter that has a win over me,” Frankie Edgar said. “I’m looking forward to putting on a great show and avenging my one loss. There are still a lot of people that are doubting me and that’s fine. I’ve learned a lot since our last fight and I plan on successfully defending my title.”

“I’m excited and honored to be fighting Frank Edgar in a lightweight title bout for the UFC,” Gray Maynard said. “Edgar is a great opponent; I’m looking forward to an exciting and tough fight with him. After years of hard work and sacrifice, this brings me one step closer to my goal of winning the belt.”