Frankie Edgar was determined to prove he could beat Gray Maynard.

On Saturday night, despite all the signs pointing that he would be unable to do so, Edgar did just that, knocking out the challenger in the fourth round to retain his UFC Lightweight Championship in the main event of UFC 136.

After fighting to a 5-round draw back at UFC 125 last January, Saturday’s bout had almost an identical start. Maynard caught Edgar with a big uppercut in the middle of the first round and pummeled the champion to a near stoppage.

However, Edgar managed to stay conscious and mobile, and survived the round despite losing it 10-8 on most cards.

After a break between rounds, Edgar seemed to get his stamina back and began working his game. He used his quickness to out-box Maynard and avoid another big punch, while Maynard looked flat on his feet and simply looking for the one-punch victory.

Come the fourth round, Edgar landed a big cross that dropped Maynard. The challenger got to his feet but ate a series of punches that eventually left him face flat in the canvas.

The win solidifies Edgar as a true star in the sport and he can finally cross Maynard off his list of opponents.

In the co-main event, Jose Aldo retained his UFC Featherweight Championship over Kenny Florian in a lackluster bout.

Neither man did anything too exciting, but Aldo landed the big kicks and avoided a number of Florian’s takedown attempts to do enough in the eyes of the judges.

In another big fight, Chael Sonnen made his return to the UFC after over a year off and submitted Brian Stann in the second round with an arm triangle.

Sonnen was his usual self, using his relentless wrestling to control the fight from the opening bell.

Following the fight, Sonnen took the microphone and challenged UFC Middleweight Champion, Anderson Silva, to a fight on Super Bowl weekend, adding that if he lost, he would retire. But, if he won, Silva had to leave the middleweight division.

That should spice things up.

Complete UFC 136 results are spelled out below.

UFC 136 Results

Toyota Center – Houston

Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011

Frankie Edgar defeats Gray Maynard via TKO (Strikes) Round 4

Jose Aldo defeats Kenny Florian via Unanimous Decision

Chael Sonnen defeats Brian Stann via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) Round 2

Joe Lauzon defeats Melvin Guillard via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 1

Nam Phan defeats Leonard Garcia via Unanimous Decision

Anthony Pettis defeats Jeremy Stephens via Split Decision

Demian Maia defeats Jorge Santiago via Unanimous Decision

Stipe Miocic def. Joey Beltran via unanimous decision

Darren Elkins def. Zhang Tie Quan via unanimous decision

Aaron Simpson def. Eric Schafer via unanimous decision

Mike Massenzio def. Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision