UFC 136 and the 5 most intriguing fights
Kendra Perez, left, UFC fighter Melvin Guillard and UFC Octogan Girl Brittney Palmer arrive at UFC, Famous Stars and Straps and New Era's "The Magic Party" at XS the nightclub in Las Vegas. (Feb. 15, 2011) Credit: Getty
A look at the five UFC 136 fights that interest us the most heading into the Saturday night card from Houston. (P.S. Watch the UFC 136 weigh-ins Friday at 5 p.m. ET here.)
5) Anthony Pettis vs. Jeremy Stephens
Stephens is among the most exciting lightweight fighters out there. Expect a brawl when he gets in the cage. Let's see what former WEC champion Pettis has learned since losing to Clay Guida.
4) Jose Aldo vs. Kenny Florian
Quick recap: Florian twice fought for the lightweight title and lost, creating a scenario where UFC president Dana White referred to him as a choker. Now, after one fight at 145, he gets a title shot. That's more reflective of a lack of top contenders at featherweight. Florian is an all-around great guy but getting by the champion Aldo seems too much to ask. But it will be interesting to see what he can do against the Brazilian ranked No. 3 on most pound-for-pound lists.
3) Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard
To look at their career fight records is to call this their third fight. Sure, that's factually accurate but the first came 40 months ago when no one really knew these fighters outside of their camps and homes. Instead, let's just keep this to a rematch of their title bout from Jan. 1, 2011 which ended in a draw. The intrigue here is that it's for the UFC lightweight title and for one fighter to emerge as undisputed champion and start addressing the logjam of worthy challengers after Maynard.
2) Melvin Guillard vs. Joe Lauzon
This a classic striker vs. submitter matchup, with each being highly regarded in their respective strength. Guillard, the striker, has won five straight and seven of his last eight fights -- including four knockouts. Of Lauzon's seven wins in the UFC, five have come by submission. Time to determine which of one these fighters will move up the ranks of the lightweight division and go on a run toward a title shot.
1) Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann
On multiple occasions, during times of public discourse, Sonnen called this bout his "first defense of his middleweight championship." That's amusing, what with tapping out to actual champion Anderson Silva in August 2010. Since then, he was suspended for failing a drug test (elevated testosterone levels) and pleaded guilty to real estate fraud. And now he's up against Brian Stann, a former WEC champion and a recipient of the Silver Star for his military endeavors in Iraq. If Sonnen wins, Silva has his next fight locked up and we get more of Sonnen's verbal explosions. If Stann wins, the talk about opponents for Silva outside of 185 pounds heats up immediately.
