Though the weekend of October 8 promises an explosive array of MMA events across the country, all have fallen under the shadow of the UFC 136 headlining rubber match between Gray Maynard and Jersey's own Frankie Edgar. The third clash between the two lightweight greats stands unique in the world of mixed martial arts, as even the UFC title belt, the most coveted bauble in the sport, has taken a back seat to settling the conflict between the fighters. And the reason for the great hype is as simple as a story line. The promotion of Edgar versus Maynard 3 and the previous bouts surrounding it have created the most sophisticated narrative in MMA's young history. No one would accuse ...

This Saturday at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., the UFC will hold their sixth event in the Live series. While the card is headlined by a title defense for current 135 pound kingpin Dominic Cruz against Demetrious Johnson, the fight the home town crowd will be most focused on is the welterweight tilt between Anthony Johnson and one of the Mid-Atlantic's favored fighting sons, Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman.

Last night at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, pound for pound great Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought Victor Ortiz for the WBC welterweight strap. Mayweather's fourth round knockout victory during what appeared to be a reset has sent rumblings through the boxing community on both the legality and the sportsmanship involved in the win. In reality, Pretty Boy Floyd's latest victory amounts to the most egregious behavior that is still completely justifiable under both the rules and culture of professional boxing.

This Saturday at CPWC 13 in York, Pennsylvania, undefeated prospect from North Carolina Zachary Klouse will put his undefeated record on the line against local journeyman Lewis Rumsey. In spite of a shaky amateur record, Klouse has been dominant in his first three professional outings and is being groomed as a serious professional prospect in the region. Against Rumsey, Klouse will be looking to prove that his presence on the regional circuit is fact rather than fluke.

New Jersey has been dubbed “The Mecca” of Mixed Martial Arts on the east coast, due in part to the fact that it was the New Jersey Athletic Control Board thatwas the first to officially sanction the UFC on November 17, 2000. The same board also codified the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. These rules are mandatory for promotions in those states that have adopted the set, and have become the de factoset of rules for professional mixed martial arts across North America and Europe.