By Corey Adams
The Ultimate Fighting Championship kicks the New Year off with UFC 125: Resolution at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. UFC President Dana White looks to give the fans a solid card to start the year. In the main event, UFC Lightweight champ Frankie Edgar will defend his belt against undefeated Gray Maynard. The rest of the main card is filled with talented fighters including Chris Leben, Thiago Silva, Nate Diaz, and Clay Guida, just to name a few. There are some very good matchups in this event; The MMA Corner will break all of them down.
The main event will be Frankie “The Answer” Edgar vs. Gray “The Bully” Maynard. Edgar defeated BJ Penn for the title at UFC 112 and then went on to defend it against Penn at UFC 118. In both fights, Penn just couldn’t do anything against The Answer. Edgar’s fighting style is difficult for anyone to prepare for. He is a very well rounded fighter with skills in wrestling, boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Maynard, on the other hand, has always been known as a very dominant wrestler. In college, Maynard was a three-time All-American wrestler, and a teammate of fellow UFC fighter Rashad Evans. The Bully likes to “bully” his opponents throughout fights and eventually, win a decision (8 of his 10 wins have been won via decision). These two fighters have faced each other before in 2008 with Maynard winning by a unanimous decision. But neither fighter will be thinking about the past. Maynard is very confident and will look to win the belt from Edgar. In the co-main event, UFC veteran Chris Leben, will take on former WEC light heavyweight champion, Brian Stann. Leben is on a three fight win streak, and has looked impressive as of late. A lot has been going on in Leben’s personal life, having being arrested in October on a DUI charge. His opponent will be “All-American” Brian Stann. Stann is a former Marine, and does a lot of military training. His style is mainly using his hands (6 wins by way of knockout). While Stann may be the underdog against Leben, Stann will prove to be a worthy opponent.
Also on the main card is a light heavyweight matchup between Thiago Silva and Brandon “The Truth” Vera. Silva hasn’t fought since last year, in which he lost a decision to Rashad Evans. He was scheduled to fight at UFC 117, but was forced to pull out due to back surgery. Brandon Vera has had his ups and downs in the UFC, and is more than likely on the verge of getting cut by Dana White. Vera has lost two straight, and has also been away from fighting for almost a year. The Truth better come into this fight with his mind focused or it could be a long night for him. In a welterweight bout, Ultimate Fighter Season 5 winner Nate Diaz will be put up against Dong Hyun “Stun Gun” Kim. Diaz has been on a roll since moving to the 170 pound division, winning his previous two fights. His opponent, Kim, will be no easy task, however. Kim is currently undefeated and is coming off an impressive performance against Amir Sadollah. The first fight on the PPV broadcast will be a lightweight battle between Clay “The Carpenter” Guida and “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi. This has the potential to be Fight of the Night as Guida and Gomi always put on good shows. Guida will more than likely try to take this one to the ground and look to use the ground and pound to put him away. Gomi, however, will want this fight to stay on the feet. In his last fight, he was able to knockout Tyson Griffin 1:04 of the first round. Whoever executes their game plan will win this war.
Predictions:
UFC Lightweight Championship: Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard- This fight certainly has the potential to be one for the ages. Edgar will need to use his complex style to keep Maynard on his heels. If Maynard is able to use his wrestling to dictate the pace of this fight it could be a long night for Edgar.
Prediction- Edgar wins unanimous decision
Chris Leben vs. Brian Stann- Leben wants to continue his winning ways to prove that he should be considered among the middleweight elite and Stann is looking to prove that he belongs in the UFC. Both fighters have a lot on the line in this fight.
Prediction- Chris Leben, 3rd round TKO
Thiago Silva vs. Brandon Vera- Silva is back and looking to make another run in the 205 division and it must start with Vera. Vera, on the other hand, cannot afford another defeat if he wants to stay with the organization. This is a must win fight for both.
Prediction- Vera wins a unanimous decision.
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Nate Diaz- This will certainly be an exciting fight between to individuals that are looking to make title runs.
Prediction- Nate Diaz, 2nd round submission
Clay Guida vs. Takanori Gomi- This fight has the ability to be Fight of the Night if these two bring it like they always do.
Prediction- Clay Guida, split decision
Undercard Predictions:
Josh Grispi over Dustin Poirier via 1st round submission
Jeremy Stephens over Marcus Davis via 2nd round KO
Mike Brown over Diego Nunes via unanimous decision
Brad Tavares over Phil Baroni via unanimous decision
Daniel Roberts over Greg Soto via 1st round submission
Jacob Volkmann over Antonio McKee via unanimous decision
