Report: Frankie Edgar may be BJ Penn’s next fight, Gray Maynard not exciting enough?

Published on: 1st January, 2010

Report: Frankie Edgar may be BJ Penn's next fight, Gray Maynard not exciting enough? | read this item

In a poll amongst the fans of URDirt.com over 47% of our fans believed that Gray Maynard deserved the next shot at BJ Penn’s lightweight title if he could defeat Nate Diaz at UFC Fight Night 20.

But, according to Franlin McNeil of ESPN’s “MMA Live” it appears that New Jersey native Frankie Edgar will have the next shot at BJ Penn’s lightweight title.

“We have been hearing a lot about Frankie Edgar, where does he fit in the lightweight title picture and from what I’m hearing a source close to the situation said that Frankie Edgar has a better then 50% chance of fighting BJ Penn for the title.”

McNeil also went on to say that regardless of the fact that Maynard defeated Edgar at Fight Night 13 last year by unanimous decision. He also went on to point out that a win in his next fight against Nate Diaz at Fight Night 20, will not make a difference in the UFC’s decision.

“It may not matter what Gray Maynard does in his fight against Nate Diaz (Fight Night 20), Frankie Edgar right now looks like the guy.”

McNeil went on to explain that Penn’s camp is also convinced that Edgar would be the better threat to the lightweight champion, because they feel he is a better all around fighter then Maynard.

“One of the reasons is that the people in BJ Penn’s camp like Frankie Edgar, because they believe he is the better all around fighter at this time.”

Kenny Florian went on to give his opinion why he feels Edgar will get the title shot before Maynard, Edgar’s ability to finish fights is the difference in his opinion.

“I think this has more to do with Frankie Edgar’s skill-set. Also what he’s been doing, he’s going out there he’s finishing guys. Gray Maynard is a great fighter, but he is not having the same performance as Frankie Edgar. So I think you can market a Frankie Edgar fight with BJ, then you could with Gray Maynard.”

Frank Mir also went on to talk about how Maynard’s style would probably make the fight end up like Penn’s title defense against Georges St.Pierre at UFC 94.

“I think it’s honestly also about excitement. Gray Maynard is a great fighter, but I think his plan would also be to wrestle him down and impose his will, probably a St.Pierre type of fight. I think Frankie Edgar is going to stand and trade with BJ Penn, which makes for a much more exciting 5 round fight. To see those two quick guys exploding at each other with hand combinations. For the fans I think that right now the BJ Penn and Frankie Edgar fight could be a little more exciting.”

It appears everyone on MMA Live was trying to elude from saying that Maynard’s style is boring in comparison to Frankie Edgar.

The UFC has not confirmed if Edgar or Maynard will fight against BJ Penn for the lightweight title next, but we will keep you up to date as soon as we find out.

Alberto Martinez "The Narcisist" is the founding owner of URDirt.com. If you would like to post on the front page or in our New "Fan Jab" section all you need to do is register. Read more from this author