UFC 136: Champions Stand Tall

UFC rolled into Houston, Texas this weekend starting yesterday with their fan expo and dominated the scene for MMA everything. The momentum definitely helped carry the current champions into their matches with the belt and allowed them both to leave with them still around their waists.

Frankie Edgar has had the stigma of a boring fighter for many years. With only a few finishes on his record, added to the fact many thought his win over Penn were flukes, he silenced the world and Gray Maynard tonight with a fourth round TKO victory to retain his championship and stay the underdog, a position he welcomes. This win helps him stay at the top and legitimize his position in the UFC lightweight scene; next up for him will be a test in whoever Joe Silva sends his way, we would all like to see Edgar-Melendez in early 2012.

Jose Aldo has only been defeated once in his career and nothing changed in his bout with Kenny Florian. As the challenger looked good in the opening frame, Aldo reminded himself and the rest of us that his almost perfect record is for a reason. In his win, the only criticism that can come is his lack of finishing since entering the octagon and who will be the one to bring out the best in him at 145lbs? Time will tell.

The middleweight champion was not on hand tonight to defend a title but was called out by his arch nemesis, Chael Sonnen. In Sonnen’s post fight win he exclaimed. “Anderson Silva, you suck! You and me, Super Bowl weekend 2012 in the rematch of the century! You win, I leave UFC; I win, you leave the division!” During his WWE rant, the Brazilian looked into the cage and laughed at Chael’s antics, perhaps the animosity will start to build up now for the most epic battler we have seen in many years if they rematch for the 185lb gold.