UFC 130 Fight Card: 5 Reasons Frankie Edgar Will Retain His Title

Chances are, Frankie Edgar is going to retain his UFC lightweight championship when he clashes for a third time with Gray Maynard at UFC 130, May 28th in Las Vegas.

It will not be easy because Gray Maynard is as formidable an opponent as Edgar could be facing at this time. Maynard is a wrestler, like Edgar, but bigger and stronger.

Out of their previous two encounters, Maynard is also the only one that holds a victory.

Despite the formidable opposition, Edgar is going to come out victorious, and these are five reasons why.

Oddsmakers Are Smart

Edgar was the underdog in their last fight, which ended in a draw, and yet, he is favored to win at UFC 130.

Online betting site bodog.com has Frankie Edgar listed as a favorite at -130.

Of course, upsets happen all the time in this sport, but it is almost never due to a lack of attention from the oddsmakers.

Let's face it, it is their profession to decide who is likely to win and by how much.

Edgar may not be an overwhelming favorite, but Vegas is giving him the edge.

Speed Kills

Perhaps with the exception of Clay Guida, Frankie Edgar has the best movement in the lightweight division, and he uses it a lot.

Edgar is one of the smallest lightweights in the division and practically has to cut no weight. That lightness makes him light on his feet and quick as a bunny.

What Gray Maynard has in size and strength, Edgar has shown to make up for with speed and movement.

Boxing Skills

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 13: Frankie Edgar, UFC lightweight champion, poses during a press conference to announce commitment to bring UFC to Madison Square Garden and New York State at Madison Square Garden on January 13, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by M

Since losing to Gray Maynard in their first encounter, Frankie Edgar has heavily ramped up his boxing training with Mark Henry.

Before, his boxing training was merely a light supplementation to his overall training. Now, his boxing is some of the best and most crisp in the sport.

Renowned boxing trainer Freddie Roach lauded BJ Penn for his boxing, and Edgar out-boxed him.

He Excels at Rematches

Some pundits have said that dominant welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre is a master of rematches. Despite only two career rematches, Frankie Edgar seems to fall into that category too.

Edgar narrowly defeated longtime champion Penn in their first encounter but thoroughly and decisively dismantled the legendary fighter in their immediate rematch.

In his first match with Maynard, Edgar clearly lost after starting to lose steam in the second and third rounds. When they fought for the title, Edgar showed his game had evolved to neutralize most of Maynard's strengths. He barely survived a hellacious first round beating but was able to come back and win at least three of the next four rounds and salvage a draw.

If history tells us anything, it is that Edgar is able to learn and improve at a rate faster than contemporaries. 

Heart of a Champion

Frankie Edgar has an indominatable spirit. He has the heart, pride and will of a champion.

Seeing Edgar bounce back from the first-round beating Maynard put on him was inspiring. It was even shocking.

It was as excellent a display of heart as you will find in all of sports.

The perennial underdog has fought his way to the top, and if you think he is going to slow down now, then I think you, my friend, are mistaken.