This Saturday night the UFC returns to Las Vegas for UFC 156: Aldo vs Edgar. UFC 156 will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events and will air live on pay per view, FX, and Facebook. The main event is a featherweight title fight between champion Jose Aldo and former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.
Edgar is moving down in weight following back to back losses to Ben Henderson. Edgar won the UFC lightweight title by defeating BJ Penn and went on to defend the title twice before losing to Henderson. During Edgar's run as champion he defeated Penn in a rematch and drew with Gray Maynard before wining their rematch.
Edgar is 9-3-1 in the UFC with a 15-3-1 record overall and is making his debut at 145 pounds. He possesses some of the best boxing in the UFC and moves very well. He has great speed and solid wrestling. Edgar does a tremendous job of moving in and out with his striking. He rarely throws one punch at a time and has a knack for catching kicks.
In order for Edgar to have success in this fight he will have to establish the takedown. In doing so he will make Aldo less apt to throw leg and body kicks. In turn that will allow Edgar to get close enough to box with Aldo.
Should Edgar be able to establish the takedown he should look to control the majority of the fight there. Perhaps Edgar can channel a little a Chael Sonnen and control it on the ground?
Jose Aldo needs no introduction for UFC fans. The inaugural UFC featherweight champion is 3-0 in the UFC and has won fourteen in a row with a 21-1 record overall. Aldo has dominated guys like Urijah Faber, Kenny Florian and Mike Brown when Brown was still at the top of his game.
Aldo is won of the most deadly strikers in the UFC. Aldo has great speed and footwork as well as very dangerous leg kicks. His has defended 95% of all takedown attempts against him. Aldo has finished eight of his last eleven fights with all eight finishes happening before the third round.
Aldo's key to victory will be to establish the leg kick and slow Edgar down. From there he will be able to counter strike Edgar and eventually find the opening he needs.
Aldo is an extremely tough opponent for anyone at 145 pounds. It is hard to see Edgar being able to get through those vicious leg kicks in order to land his combos and while Edgar is a solid wrestler, Aldo's 95% takedown success rate is proof taking him down will not be an easy task.
Do not expect Aldo to be to aggressive in this fight. He will likely wait on Edgar and try to pick him apart much like he did to Kenney Florian and Urijah Faber. Edger, however will look to push the pace which will play into Aldo's favor when it comes to stand up. At the end of the night this will be a decision victory for Jose Aldo and the third loss in a row for Edgar.
Watch UFC 156 live on pay per view this Saturday night beginning at 9 p.m. central time.
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