UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III Fight Card Quickly Takes Shape

UFC 136 is shaping up to be the best fight card of the year.

UFC recently announced Frankie Edgar vs. Grey Maynard III will take place on Oct. 8 in Houston.

According to mmajunkie.com, both Edgar (13-1-1) and Maynard (10-0-1) were expected to return in October.

Edgar and Maynard have unfinished business as they fought to a split draw in what many considered a “Fight of the Year” candidate. Maynard had Edgar hurt badly in the first round, but Edgar showed the true heart of a champion and fought his way back into the fight.

Both men have something to gain in this fight. For Maynard, it’s the title he felt like he won. For Edgar, he gets another chance to try to beat the only man who has defeated him.

Another big title fight was also announced as featherweight champ Jose Aldo (19-1) will meet Kenny Florian (15-5).

Aldo has been nursing injuries since he defeated Mark Hominick at UFC 129. Because Aldo was looking for a September return, Chad Mendes chose not to wait on his title shot and took a bout against Rani Yahya.

In stepped Florian, who defeated Diego Nunes in his featherweight debut.

Florian has fought for the lightweight title twice, coming up short both times. His only other loss within the division came against Gray Maynard in a title eliminator match.

Two more lightweights will meet the same night as Edgar and Maynard.

Melvin Guillard (29-8-2) will take on Joe Lauzon (7-3) in a match both guys wanted.

Guillard is hoping to continue his title run at lightweight which has seen the New Orleans native go 5-0 in his last five fights.

Lauzon on the other hand is hoping to win two straight for the first time since 2009. That same year also saw Lauzon out for an extended period of time due to knee surgery.

Lauzon appears to be back to full swing and ready to go.

Also recently announced is a bout between two Brazilian middleweights looking to rebound.

Former middleweight contender Demian Maia (14-3) and former Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago will also meet at UFC 136.

Both guys are hoping to bounce back after losses. Maia fell to Mark Munoz at UFC 131 while Santiago lost to Brian Stann at UFC 130.

UFC 136 is becoming one of the most stacked cards in recent UFC memory. Here is the full card thus far:

Champ Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard (for lightweight title)

Champ Jose Aldo vs. Kenny Florian (for featherweight title)

Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann

Demian Maia vs. Jorge Santiago

Melvin Guillard vs. Joe Lauzon

Dave Herman vs. Mike Russow

Josh Grispi vs. Matt Grice