The UFC is finally coming to Boston, Massachusetts for UFC 118 and they are bringing their top lightweights with them. The top 4 UFC lightweights and 5 within the top 15 have been penciled in to fight at the TD Garden on August 28, 2010. Originally thought to be held outdoors at the historic Fenway park but perhaps that idea was a bit lofty for even Dana White.

The nights main event will feature a Lightweight Championship rematch between newly crowned champ Frankie Edgar against the the man he beat at UFC 112 BJ Penn. In their first meeting the two fought to a somewhat controversial five round decision in which Edgar was given the node over the the Champ. The controversy was centered around the judges scoring and how different each judges card was (50-45, 48-47, 49-46). The immediate rematch was probably given to Penn for that reason and lets hope the two don’t let this fight go to the score cards.

What should be the nights co-main event, Gray Maynard will take on Kenny Florian with the winner next in line at the lightweight crown. Maynard will be looking to finally get the title shot that has eluded him recently. At 9-0-1 Maynard has beaten the likes of Roger Huerta, Nate Diaz and the Current Lightweight champ Frankie Edgar, but has yet been given a shot at the title. Florian has already had two shots at the Lightweight belt coming up short to Sean Sherk (UFC 64) and BJ Penn (UFC 101). Those two losses are Florian’s only defeats in the last 5 years where he is 11-2 during that time period. Known for finishing his fights, Florian has only gone the distance twice in 14 fights in the UFC and only 3 times in his career. That’s a stark contrast to Maynard whose last 6 fights have gone the distance and 7 of his 10 career fights have been decided by the judges.

Rounding out the Lightweight showcase on the card (so far) is Massachusetts born Joe Lauzon who will be facing fellow Jiu-Jitsu artist Mark Bocek. Both fighters are coming off recent losses and will look to get back into the win column. Both fighters have strong submission games with 20 wins between the two by way of submissions.

With still over 4 months away, this card is far away from being complete and possibly more lightweight fights will be added to this showcase.

UFC 118 To Feature The Lightweights
UFC 118 To Feature The Lightweights

UFC 118 To Feature The Lightweights