Issue 128
May 2015
After months of speculation, two of the lighter weight classes’ biggest ever names will collide. But who will leave the Philippines victorious?
Grudge match: Urijah Faber Vs. Frankie Edgar
In our new and improved Grudge Match preview, we’ve invited a trio of MMA’s leading coaches to give their thoughts on a highly-anticipated matchup. Each one will break down an aspect of an upcoming fight, so you’ll discover just who some of the best in the business believe will emerge victorious.
And what a main event fight and line-up of coaches we have to kick things off. Urijah Faber vs. Frankie Edgar is probably as close as you can get to a UFC super-fight without a title belt being on the line. Fans were teased with the bout 12 months ago, but it was put on the shelf when Edgar squared off against BJ Penn to coach on season 19 of The Ultimate Fighter. However, popular demand and Faber’s willingness to take the fight forced the UFC’s hand for its inaugural trip to the Philippines.
Former WEC featherweight champ Faber (32-7) returns to 145lb on the back of two big performances. ‘The California Kid’ dominated, then submitted Alex Caceres at UFC 175 last summer and recovered from a slow start to tap Francisco Rivera with a bulldog choke at UFC 181 in December.
Meanwhile, Edgar (18-4-1) has looked outstanding recently. The former UFC 155lb king delivered two of 2014’s biggest beat-downs in brutal stoppage victories over surging contender Cub Swanson and all-time-great Penn.
Blackzilians head striking coach Henri Hooft, 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu founder Eddie Bravo and Jackson-Wink MMA wrestling coach Izzy Martinez break down the strengths and weaknesses of both men in their fields of expertise to predict a winner.
FO speaks to three of the best coaches in the business to get their thoughts and predictions ahead of The biggest matchups in the world of mixed martial arts
BJJ
Eddie Bravo
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu head coach and black belt under Jean-Jacques Machado
“Urijah and Frankie are both really good grapplers. In fact, if this was a straight grappling bout that took place in something like Metamoris then I wouldn’t have a clue. One thing I do know is that Urijah Faber is known for his guillotine choke and it’s a move he’s used countless times to submit opponents. Plus, he’s got a really good rear naked choke too.
“Faber is actually known for finishing opponents when the fight hits the ground, whereas Frankie Edgar isn’t. Obviously he finished Cub Swanson with a submission in his last fight, but besides that it’s hard to think of many times he’s finished high-level opponents quite like Urijah has.
“Make no mistake about it, Frankie Edgar is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters competing in the UFC today. His striking, footwork and cardio is awesome and shows why he’s been able to compete at the top level for so long.
“However, like 80% of fighters in the UFC, he’s not really known for finishing opponents with submissions. It’s kind of a rare speciality these days. Faber, however, is known for his submissions and has been known for them for quite a while. I’d have to go with Faber if the fight hits the floor at some point.”
WINNER: URIJAH FABER
STRIKING
Henri Hooft
Blackzilians head striking coach and former world kickboxing champion
“Frankie Edgar wins the fight and he’ll win because he’s a better striker than Faber. You know, Faber is one of my favorite fighters to watch because he brings the fight whenever he’s in there. However, I’m not a fan of fighters running all over the place. He runs too much and I think it’s something that they do at their gym (Team Alpha Male).
“A lot of them run around, throwing punches and kicks, without them really meaning anything. The only guys from that camp who really utilize striking properly is TJ Dillashaw and Chad Mendes.
“Faber is good at everything and he’s a great mixed martial artist. However, when it comes to striking on its own I don’t think he’s that good. Frankie Edgar is very good though. He strikes with a lot of volume and uses his boxing a little bit more than Faber.
“I’d like to see Edgar kick a little bit more, but besides that, I think he’s a really good striker and should beat Faber – in the standup at least.”
WINNER: FRANKIE EDGAR
WRESTLING
Izzy Martinez
Jackson-Wink head wrestling coach and founder of Izzy Style Wrestling
“Frankie Edgar is a little bit of a more controlled wrestler, whereas Urijah Faber has more of an explosive style. Frankie might have the advantage as far as the technical skill and his ability to chain wrestling takedowns together. Also, the way he’s able to keep a guy down on the ground and control him is outstanding.
“Frankie is also really good at mixing up his level changes and he’s unpredictable. He can come across, cut angles and he can do some dumps too. He has a great base and he’s very impressive in terms of his second and third transitions. If he shoots a double-leg and doesn’t get it he’s got two or three moves after that.
“Urijah is a phenomenal fighter who has achieved a lot, but I believe he’s just a one or two-move kind of guy. Frankie won’t stop going until he gets the takedown and he’s very good at doing that.
So, I’m going to have to go with Frankie.”
WINNER: FRANKIE EDGAR
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