UFC 138: John Maguire Defeats Justin Edwards In Entertaining Grappling Affair

Justin Edwards vs. John Maguire at UFC 138: Leben vs. Munoz started out with consecutive cup-kicks from Edwards.

After Maguire had a moment to recover, the spinning back-kick that Edwards unleashed was perfectly legal and quite powerful, blasting Maguire in the chest. Edwards followed with a monster right hand that sent Maguire sailing backward to the canvas.

The self-professed "Pink Belt in Gypsy Jiu Jitsu" was quick to recover and reversed to assume the top position. Edwards used the fence to stand back up but was hurled to the canvas by Maguire. Edwards again stood back up, blasted punches and pursued a low single of his own. Maguire countered beautifully by grabbing the arm and sliding to Edwards' back. The American recovered and Maguire scored another takedown when Edwards tried a guillotine.

Maguire lanced a jab and connected to the body with a kick, then rushed into a clinch that Edwards shoved off. After some evenly matched striking exchanges, Maguire was able to get rear waist control and hit a nice belly-to-back throw and take Edwards' back with the body-triangle locked.

Maguire was busy with strikes from behind while Edwards tried to go two-on-one wrist control to defend. Just before the horn sounded, Maguire twisted for a tight armbar that was deep but interrupted by the bell.

Maguire established his jab to start the third, avoided another spinning back kick and scored a takedown. Edwards quickly transitioned to a leg lock that Maguire countered with a toe-hold, and the pair released their mutual submission attempts and reset on the feet. Edwards attacked with what might have been a Capoeira kick, resulting in a clinch where Edwards dropped back and rolled Maguire over, but the UFC newcomer reversed position, mounted Edwards and then took his back.

Again constricting with the body-triangle, Maguire pressured with punches from back mount. Showing impressive resilience, Edwards rolled out and threw heavy strikes from the top, but was immediately swept by Maguire, who finished the round attacking the neck.

In an entertaining grappling war, the end result was three 30-27 scores for John Maguire, who defeats Justin Edwards by unanimous decision.