UFC 136 Fight Card: 5 Predictions You Can Take To The Bank

With UFC 136 right around the corner, it's hard not to picture Edgar vs. Maynard III being one of the best fight cards of the year.

The main card is featured around Frankie Edgar, who will put his title up for grabs against No. 1 contender Gray Maynard in front of a sold-out Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

Also defending his title is Jose Aldo, who will square off with Kenny Florian in a Featherweight championship bout.

The entire fight card consists of four main card fights and seven preliminary bouts.

With two championship bouts and nine other electrifying fights throughout the evening, there are many unpredictable events that could occur at UFC 136.

However, there are a few predictions that you can take to the bank.

The following slides display five predictions that will occur at UFC 136. Let's take a look.

5. Tiequan Zhang Taps Darren Elkins in the 1st Round

Tiequan Zhang will enter the UFC Octagon for just the second time on Saturday, October 8th when he takes on Darren Elkins in a Featherweight matchup.

Of Zhang's 15 career mixed martial arts victories, 12 of them have come by way of submission.

To make matters even worse for Elkins, of those 12 victories, 10 have come in the very first round of action.

Elkins proved at UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko that he can be submitted when he was caught in an armbar in the first round against Charles Oliveira.

4. Melvin Guillard Moves Closer to a Title Shot

Melvin Guillard will enter UFC 136 looking to prove to the world why he is worthy of a Lightweight title shot.

Guillard, who's won five straight fights and is on the hottest streak of his MMA career, will take on fellow 155-pounder Joe Lauzon.

While Lauzon is one of the best wrestlers in the UFC today, he is no match for the "Young Assassin" in the stand-up.

Look for Guillard to win his sixth straight fight and move closer to his dreamed-about title shot.

3. Chael Sonnen Gets His Rematch Against Anderson Silva

Coming off arguably the most depressing and impressive fight of his career, Chael Sonnen will attempt to bounce back when he squares off with the highly dangerous Brian Stann.

Stann, who's won three consecutive fights since dropping to Middleweight, will look to earn his own title shot against Silva with a victory over Sonnen.

More motivated than ever to get his revenge on "Andy," Sonnen will be at the peak of his career when he enters the Octagon on October 8th.

Sonnen will earn a rematch in 2012 against the world's best fighter.

2. Jose Aldo Will Remain the UFC Featherweight Champion

Jose Aldo will look to defend his UFC Featherweight championship when he puts his title up for grabs against No.1 contender Kenny Florian.

Florian, who recently made the transition to the 145 weight class, is recognized as one of the best rounded fighters in the UFC today.

Aldo, known as arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in mixed martial arts, hasn't lost a fight in nearly six years.

Don't expect that to change when UFC 136 rolls around.

1. Gray Maynard Is Declared the New UFC Lightweight Champion

In unarguably the most anticipated bout of the evening, Frankie Edgar will attempt to remain the UFC's Lightweight champion by defeating Gray Maynard.

This will be the third time these two have met, as Maynard defeated Edgar at UFC Fight Night 13.

Their next bout turned into one of the greatest performances in UFC history as the judge's ruled a draw, allowing Edgar to remain champion.

Maynard, who appears larger and stronger than Edgar, will enter the Octagon more prepared than ever before.

While it will certainly be an all-out war, Maynard will be declared the new UFC Lightweight champion of the world.