PARK: The case for Anthony Pettis and a UFC-WEC unification bout next for Frankie Edgar

By: Chris Park, MMATorch UK Specialist

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As the MMA world reflects on last weekend's hotly contested draw between Frankie "The Answer" Edgar and Gray "The Bully" Maynard, the next chapter of this new look lightweight division now has a question mark hanging over its head.

There was no question that Edgar was close to being finished. His immense heart, however, proved to the whole world why he is the champion. At the same time, in reality, he lost that first round, and lost it badly. A 10-8 round in favour of the challenger seemed a fair reflection, but Edgar bounced back with a spectacular second round and could argue his case for claiming the three remaining rounds that followed as well.

As the judges scores were revealed both men appeared bitterly disappointed with the split-draw announcement; although Maynard, despite missing a golden opportunity to finish matters early, should be grateful to walk away with his undefeated record intact.

Edgar took three, possibly even four of the five rounds and, even with that first round 10-8 scoring, could quite easily have still been given the nod. One judge scored the bout 47-47 meaning he favoured Edgar for three rounds, but the extra point deduction meant his scorecard, and subsequently the overally result, was levelled.

Either way of looking at it, Gray Maynard did not win three rounds. He won one, at best he could stake a claim for two, and so a draw is about as good a decision as "The Bully" deserved.

The UFC's lightweight division is in the most unique situation it has ever been in before. At the end of December the curtain came down on the WEC in style as Ben Henderson and Anthony Pettis put on one of the best fights of the year, with the winner knowing he would enter the UFC into a unification bout as the WEC/UFC merger would come to its conclusion.

Anthony Pettis put on the performance of his life in taking the WEC title from Henderson; his "Showtime Kick" was one of the most surreal actions to ever take place in MMA history. With the UFC lightweight title being contested just a few weeks later the script couldn't have been written any better for the emerging Pettis as he awaited Saturday's outcome with baited breath.

The division is now entering a whole new era, and a unification bout between Edgar and Pettis would carry such momentum with all MMA fans. Edgar continues to prove everyone wrong as he happily carries his underdog tag, while the extent of Pettis' abilities is both mouth-watering and unknown fully at this point.

There is no doubt that Edgar vs. Maynard III should happen one day; to enable these two to finally settle to score, but it should not be either fighter's next bout. While the unification bout is an immediate must, Maynard could position himself nicely for the winner should he win a bout against another top contender; Ben Henderson is positioned as the perfect opponent but it appears Mark Bocek will play host to his welcome party at UFC 129 in April.

A division that was dominated by one man for so long is now enjoying a hugely competetive spell with a number of top contenders who are excelling now that B.J. Penn's reign is over; to stand in the way of the natural progression of this new era, not to mention the irrevocable unification bout, is something we can all hope is avoided.

Yes, the third bout has to happen, and depending on the outcome a fourth bout may be deemed neccessary; but before any of that Anthony "Showtime" Pettis deserves his chance in what should be Frankie Edgar's next UFC title defence.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/ukscene/article_8044.shtml

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