Frankie Edgar and the 8 Best Comebacks in UFC History

UFC Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar showed his affinity for the dramatics at last Saturday's UFC 136.

In a first round similar to their last meeting at UFC 125, challenger Gray Maynard pummeled the champion with vicious strikes in the opening frame, forcing Edgar to once again mount a comeback to keep his title.

Unlike their last battle, Edgar was able to comeback and finally finish Maynard in the fourth round, with a flurry of punches rendering his opponent unable to defend himself.

The UFC has had many great comebacks even more exciting than this over the years, showcasing just how unpredictable the sport of mixed martial arts is.

Here are the top eight comebacks in the history of the UFC.

8. Matt Serra vs. Shonie Carter, UFC 31

In his UFC debut at UFC 31 back in 2001, everything was looking good for Matt Serra as he prepared to take his first victory in the Octagon.

Serra had controlled Shonie Carter on the ground the entire match and was poised to grind his way to the win.

But with just 10 seconds left on the clock, Carter threw a left roundhouse kick followed by a spinning backfist. The later strike connected square on Serra's jaw, knocking the Renzo Gracie black belt out cold.

Carter's career never really went anywhere, but this highlight reel, come from behind knockout of one of the sport's most recognizable figures will live on forever.

7. Mike Russow vs. Todd Duffee, UFC 114

At UFC 114, heavyweight prospect Todd Duffee beat on a less aesthetically pleasing Mike Russow for two and a half rounds.

Duffee just poured on the punishment on Russow, who absorbed a considerable amount of damage throughout the fight.

But midway through the third and final round, Russow connected with a vicious straight right hand that not only knocked Duffee out, but sent him packing from the UFC.

Everyone in attendance—especially Duffee—was shocked at the surprise ending. Russow had also broken his left ulna in the first round absorbing Duffee's blows, making this comeback even more impressive.

Russow has kept the steam rolling since the win, most recently finishing Jon Madsen in March.

6. Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard, UFC 125

In their second battle at UFC 125, UFC Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar encountered a lot of adversity in the first round of their rematch, as Gray Maynard threw everything but the kitchen sink at the champion.

Edgar took a huge amount of punishment in the opening frame, eating Maynard's hard right hand repeatedly, almost resulting in a first round finish.

But Edgar rebounded in the second, and he pushed the pace on a clearly gassed Maynard. His fast footwork, quick hands and powerful takedowns got Edgar back into the fight.

In the end, the bout was ruled a draw to the chagrin of both fighters. Many analysts believe that despite the first round, Edgar did enough work to take the win.

This past Saturday, these two lightweight warriors settled the score, as Edgar emphatically knocked Maynard out to retain the title.

Edgar's ability to survive the first round and get back into the fight makes this UFC 125 comeback one of the most amazing in MMA history.

5. Cheick Kongo vs. Pat Barry, UFC on Versus 4

Heavyweight strikers Pat Barry and Cheick Kongo both knew that someone was going to go to sleep in their June battle.

But after the beating Barry gave Kongo to open up the first round, nobody thought that it would be the Duke Roufus product that would be out cold on the canvas.

Barry battered Kongo with strikes, dropping the French striker at one point, followed up with a flurry of punches. 

Somehow Kongo, whose legs were still wobbling, weathered the onslaught and caught Barry with an overhand right and an uppercut to the chin, knocking Barry out cold.

This first round battle was one of the craziest striking wars of the year and one of the most unexpected comebacks ever.

4. Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin, UFC 116

Everyone knew that Shane Carwin had the better, more powerful hands in his matchup with then UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 116.

He proved it, too, battering the champion with powerful punches in the stand-up and brutal ground-and-pound on the canvas.  

Many thought that the referee would call the match as Lesnar was getting pummeled. Somehow, the former professional wrestling star survived the attack and came back with a vengeance in the second round.

Clearly gassed after battering Lesnar in the first round, Carwin was easily taken down by the champion and could not get back to his feet.

Patiently, Lesnar waited for the opportunity to attack and found his way to victory by securing an arm-triangle choke on the interim champion.

Proving that he is more than just hype, Lesnar cemented himself as an elite mixed martial artist in this exciting come from behind win.

3. Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg 2, UFC 52

In a rematch of their 2003 bout, then UFC Welterweight champion Matt Hughes had a tougher time against challenger Frank Trigg at UFC 52.

Trigg landed an accidental strike to the groin that had Hughes look to the referee for time, but to no avail. 

Capitalizing on the missed call, Trigg pounced on the champion and devastated him with strikes. When the fight went to the canvas, Trigg took Hughes' back and attempted a rear naked choke.

Miraculously, Hughes escaped the choke and was ready for his revenge.

Hughes snatched Trigg up, carried him across the Octagon and slammed him.  Following up the dramatic takedown with some ground-and-pound, Hughes finished Trigg with an apropos rear naked choke—the same submission he used to defeat Trigg at UFC 43.

This win was not only amazing victory on Hughes' illustrious resume, but also one of the most exciting championship fights to date.

2. Scott Smith vs. Pete Sell, TUF 4 Finale

Teammates on the Ultimate Fighter reality show, middleweights Scott Smith and Pete Sell had a very entertaining match at the Ultimate Fighter 4 Finale.

Trading strikes throughout the first round, it would not be until the middle of the second round where the real excitement began.

Sell landed a hard body shot on Smith that had him hunched over next to the cage attempting to recover.

Ready to pounce in for the kill, Sell rushed in on Smith. But the Nevada native was somehow able to muster enough energy to throw a huge right hand that knocked Sell clean out.

After the referee stopped the match, Smith fell to the ground holding his side, still trying to recover from the vicious left hook to the body.

This insane comeback would foreshadow fights to come, as Smith has become notorious for these amazing, come from behind wins, most notably against former Strikeforce Middleweight champion Cung Le.

1. Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen, UFC 117

Injured and beaten down, UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva looked like he was about to lose for the first time ever inside the Octagon against Chael Sonnen at UFC 117.

For almost five rounds, Sonnen had not only imposed his brutal and grinding wrestling on the champion, but he was also landing solid shots in the stand-up as well.

Keeping a tight top control, Sonnen was pummeling Silva the entire fight and was poised to keep his word and dethrone the champion.

But with just seconds remaining on the clock, Sonnen's kryptonite—Jiu-Jitsuwould come back to haunt him once again.

Finding the opening for an triangle, Silva threw his legs up and secured the choke, adding an armbar for good measure. With time almost out, Sonnen was forced to tap, leaving Silva the champion.

This victory showcased Silva's heart and warrior spirit, proving that it a champion never says die.