TUF 22: Main event Preview and Staff Picks

Jimbo’s Pick:

In what in my opinion is one of the top three fights over the course of this weekend; no mean feat considering the amount of MMA on offer; we’re getting a dream match in Chad Mendes v Frankie Edgar.The reason this fight is such a dream match is the comparable skillsets of the two – both wrestlers with heavy hands, speed, relentless takedowns and tough as hell. 

I think what will decide this one is Edgar’s ability to nullify Mendes’ skills.

Chad’s wrestling is always an asset, but I don’t see him taking Edgar down; Gray Maynard couldn’t with any consistency. Ben Henderson couldn’t. The same Ben Henderson who ragdolls elite welterweights couldn’t take Frankie down and keep him there. I don’t think Chad can take Frankie down.

In recent times, Chad has developed devastating KO power and become one of the most dangerous strikers at Featherweight. However, Edgar’s chin is legendary and when you’ve been hit by the people who have hit Edgar and not gone down, I will never expect anyone to finish you.

I think Chad’s two main assets are not much use to him in this fight. 

Comparably, Edgar’s two main assets are speed and cardio. Two of Mendes’ biggest weaknesses. Speed killed Chad in his defeats to Aldo and Cardio was the deciding factor against Conor McGregor. 

Whilst the two appear quite similar fighters, a deeper look into their skillsets, in my opinion, reveals a serious stylistic advantage to Frankie Edgar, who I expect to wrestlebox his way to a comfortable 49-46, using his speed, boxing skills and all round MMA game to frustrate the incredibly skilled Mendes, whose only hope appears to be landing the big KO punch.

When your best hope against Edgar is finishing him with strikes – I just don’t see it.

Don’s Pick:

Day two and the fights keep rolling, main event for season 22 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ is what will surely be a number one contender fight (pending  an Aldo Vs. McGregor rematch) and it’s awesome to see a fight of this caliber headline a TUF finale.

This fight is going to be fast, it’s going to be standing, it’s going to be on the mat and all over the cage, both fighters have fast hands and high wrestling pedigree but I think Edgar has the cardio and better wrestling to control this fight and this is his key to winning.

As James has already said, Edgar has been hit by some big guy’s and amazingly just keeps coming and gets through extreme adversity to win the big fights. He has the the speed, cardio and skill to beat almost anyone in his weight class that being said he has took some big shots in his fights and no one is invincible.

With his past performances it’s hard to imagine Edgar being finished even though Mendes has some big power in his hands, likes James I don’t see it and think that Frankie’s speed and skill should see him get the win. Not that Mendes has no chance, I don’t see this being an anything is possible fight where the odds are extremely one sided, it may be closer than a lot of people think and is sure to be a great set up for UFC 194 the next night.

Edgar via Decision

PG’s Pick:

Chad Mendes vs Frankie Edgar is an unbelievable match up. This could quite easily be for the title were it not for the likes of Aldo and McGregor. Mendes and Edgar between them have fought in 10 fights were a championship was on the line!

When people talk about footwork and movement in MMA they often site Cruz or Johnson as the benchmark but for me Edgar is up there also. His head movement and ability to slip, dip and rip make him extremely dangerous. He can also take a shot or two as well. So much so though you wonder if, or when his chin will go. If his chin holds up against the right cross of Mendes then I see him taking this fight by decision.

Whilst I think Mendes will be able to outwrestle Edgar at points during the fight I don’t believe he will be able to secure the finish this way or grind out a decision via his wrestling. He showed during his fight with McGregor that his willingness to go for the finish can leave his opponent with an opening to escape and with Edgar being a black belt in BJJ and no mug on the ground I see him getting back to his feet when or if he is put on his back.

Edgar by decision.