As expected, fall is the time of reckoning for Gray Maynard (10-0-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC) and Frankie Edgar's (13-1-1 MMA, 8-1-1 UFC) unfinished business.
UFC officials today announced that the champ and No. 1 contender will meet a third time in the headliner of UFC 136, which takes place Oct. 8 at Houston's Toyota Center.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported earlier that Maynard targeted October for his return date after being cleared by his doctor for training, and Edgar and his team expected to return that month, as well.
Although contracts have not been signed for the bout, verbal agreements are in place according to sources close to both fighters.
Maynard injured his knee in preparation for a highly anticipated rematch with lightweight champ Frankie Edgar at UFC 130. The injury came to light after Edgar withdrew from the bout with a back injury, which delayed the meeting until further notice.
Maynard said that a reported knee surgery never happened and that he instead treated the joint with rehabilitation, though he did undergo surgery in Los Angeles for an elbow injury.
This past week, Edgar's reps told MMAjunkie.com the champ has been cleared to fight and could be ready to fight by October.
"Houston makes sense, but I don't know if that's what the UFC wants," Maynard concurred. "I just wait until I get the contract."
Edgar and Maynard fought to a split draw this past January at UFC 125 in a fight considered by many to be an early candidate for "Fight of the Year" honors. Edgar was nearly knocked out in the first round but came back to even out the scorecards. Maynard believed he had done enough to win the fight but admitted to running low on gas in later rounds.
UFC president Dana White initially put down the idea of an immediate rematch but later changed his mind – to Maynard's great relief – and booked the UFC 130 match.
"The Bully" holds a win over Edgar from three years ago at UFC Fight Night 13.
Source: Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard headline UFC 136 in Houston