Time to get it

Nearly time guys.

Media workouts were Thursday, where you work out in front of the cameras, and now (Friday afternoon) I am cutting weight for the weigh-in. No one is going to admit they are struggling, so you will have to believe me that I’ve only got a couple of pounds to cut. I know some fighters are using saunas all week but I will use it for about 20 minutes this morning and I will be good to go.

I’ve cut weight my whole life. Imagine how many wrestling matches I had, cutting weight on a weekly basis month after month all through school and college, year after year, and now in my MMA career. I’ve got pretty good at this. I was about a few pounds over Thursday, I had a full bowl of cereal, some fruit and coffee for breakfast, a nice lunch and some lighter bites later in the day.

I feel really good and am very happy right now. I just wanna fight.

The media workouts were at the UFC Expo in an Octagon. There were about 50 press people there. Rather than shadow box and do a light workout, I had a bit of fun with Chael Sonnen.

Chael is fighting Brian Stann on the card and we did some grappling and some judo throws to give the press something to film. I’ve never trained with him before, it was the first time I’ve laid hands on him, and it was great. He’s an All-American wrestler and very talented.

He’s a middleweight and he said he couldn’t believe how strong I am. That was nice to hear two days before a world title fight against a smaller lightweight.

I enjoyed talking with the media afterwards, and feeling very positive.

Fight week has been good. I’m getting more used to the media stuff now. This is my second PPV headline fight and I think I have managed to let people know I am going to give them a great fight for their $50 and why I am so motivated without coming across as bitter about the draw in the last fight with Frankie Edgar.

I’ve fought 40 minutes in the Octagon against Edgar. You’d think there’d be no secrets between us in what we are going to do in there, but I am going to change it up and so is he. I really feel that this is going to be a very exciting fight.

I’ve been asked 500 times about the New Year’s Day draw for the UFC lightweight title, but I did one radio interview when all they asked about was me being on TUF 5. That was years ago... I guess the host had just got the boxed set for his birthday or something...

Talking about the fight over and over can be a little boring, but it helps with motivation. I visualize the fight during fight week. Sometimes it is a war, sometimes I knock him out, sometimes I drag him down to the mat and choke him out. But always, I win. Frankie Edgar couldn’t find a way to beat me in two fights and he’s not going to find a way to beat me Saturday.

That’s really all I had to say at Wednesday’s press conference. I just felt I won last time and I will do more to make sure this time. I could start talking s--- about someone else, but that’s not who I am.

I guess some people just want to hear shit-talking but, as far as Edgar, he hasn’t said anything you wouldn’t think he would say. Of course he is going to say he thinks he won the fight or it was a draw. He’s not going to say I knocked him down four times and so I deserve the belt. He’s not talking s--- about me, and I am angry I don’t have the belt, but I can’t be pissed at Edgar for saying he thinks he won.

There’s no grudge here, not personally. I got a little bit of a chip on my shoulder for this fight, of course. I feel like I’ve not got something that’s mine.

Saturday, I get it.

Follow me on Twitter @GrayMaynard

Gray Maynard takes on Frankie Edgar at UFC 136 on Saturday, Oct. 8 in Houston. He is blogging exclusively for sportsnet.ca on a weekly basis ahead of his fight.

UFC 136 will be shown live on pay-per-view at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET. Watch live preliminary fights on Sportsnet starting at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET.