Gray Maynard lands a devastating uppercut to Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar in the first round of their UFC 136 main event bout.
It was an unfortunate case of déjà vu for UFC Lightweight Champion, Frankie Edgar. Just as it happened in their second clash at UFC 125: Resolution nine months earlier, Frankie found himself, once again, desperately trying to survive the first round after getting rocked by a well-timed uppercut from his nemesis, Gray Maynard. This time though, Maynard patiently picked his shots, unlike their last meeting where he frantically tried to finish the fight and only managed to gas himself out. This time was going to be different. Right?
Unfortunately for Maynard, it was indeed an unfortunate case of déjà vu. Frankie managed to survive the first round, just as he had in their last fight. Frankie also managed to tie it up on any competent judge’s score card by round 3. And much unlike their last clash, Edgar completely turned the tides on Maynard in the 4th round and handed “The Bully” his very first loss, via TKO no less.
Immediately following Edgar’s dramatic win several fans voiced what I thought was a strange proclamation of the Lightweight Champion. Frankie Edgar has one of the best chins in the UFC.
Before we get too much further in this discussion, let’s first define what it means to have a “good chin”.
Having a “good” or “bad” chin is often times a hot subject when talking about a fighter. A fighter is considered to have a “good” chin should he be able to withstand large amounts of punishment about the head or face; Or a “bad” chin in instances where a fighter may experience a sort of myotonic “fainting” spell with the slightest tap on the chin (see Liddell, Chuck for more information.)
In Frankie Edgar’s case, he clearly has a hard time dealing with big shots to the head, at least physically speaking. His eyes lose focus, his knees buckle and at times, he is dropped to the mat. All the typical signs that a guy might have a “bad” chin. Remember when Cain Velasquez was dropped twice by Cheick Kongo and everyone was questioning the voracity of his chin?
The difference between Frankie Edgar and a lot of other fighters considered to have “bad” chins is in the way he deals with it in times of trouble. He keeps composed, continues to attack (effectively keeping the bout from being stopped) and does his best to avoid getting hit the same way twice. Sounds like someone who might have a “bad” chin on paper but excellent recovery and cage awareness to me.
In other words, Frankie Edgar does not have a “good” or a “bad” chin; He has what every fighter covets. The ability to recover from a well placed shot to the head. Now, if you make a list of people who have the BEST recovery in the UFC? Frankie would be my number one pick.
Let us know your thoughts by filling out the poll below. Who do YOU think has the best chin in MMA?