Elements add intrigue to outdoor UFC event

Frankie Edgar faces a steep enough challenge against Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion BJ Penn today without having to worry about the weather.

UFC 112, being held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will be the first UFC event in an outdoor arena and the conditions are likely to favor Penn.

Penn, who lives and trains mostly in Hilo, Hawaii, says he's ready to deal with the heat and humidity.

"I always train outdoors, actually," he said. "All I do every day of my life is train outdoors in the humidity and everything in Hawaii."

The card begins at 9 p.m. in Abu Dhabi (10 a.m. in Las Vegas), and weather.com forecasts temperatures in the mid-80s and about 50 percent humidity. Wind and sandstorms could be a factor, but the projected wind is only about 6 mph.

Penn, who has been in Abu Dhabi for about two weeks with the rest of the fighters on the card, says adapting to the weather is an adjustment for everyone. He said he is ready for just about anything.

"If it is humid like Hawaii, it might get a little slippery, so we might have to expect something like that," he said, pointing out that air conditioning in arenas keeps fighters from getting too slippery. "Outdoors, it's just like we have in Hawaii, just pretty slip-and-slide."

Edgar insists he will be fighting on a level playing field.

"I'm just as excited to fight outside," he said. "The first outdoor event for the UFC, I think it's really cool to be a part of it. I'm not too concerned with how the weather is going to be."

The 28-year-old former college wrestler from Toms River, N.J., also sounds unfazed to be going up against Penn, who has lost only once at 155 pounds.

"It has really forced me to bring out the best in my training and everything," Edgar said. "I feel like I've improved a lot because I have to prepare for someone of BJ's stature just because he's so highly touted.

"(But) I'm not putting anyone on a pedestal or building him up into something. I'm treating BJ like BJ. He's known as one of the greatest fighters of all time for a reason. He can do it all as a fighter and is a role model to many young guys coming up."

Edgar has a 6-1 record since joining the UFC in 2007 and has been awarded three fight-of-the-night bonuses. In 2008 he lost a decision to Gray Maynard, who might be next in line for a title shot.

Penn-Edgar is not the only title fight on the card. Anderson Silva seeks his sixth straight successful middleweight title defense, facing Demian Maia.

Also, veteran Matt Hughes will take on Renzo Gracie in a welterweight bout.

Hughes has lost three of his past five fights but is a two-time UFC champion. Gracie, 43, comes from one of the most legendary families in mixed martial arts and the UFC but will be making his UFC debut.

Gracie has won his last three fights, most recently over Frank Shamrock in 2007 by disqualification.

Gracie is quite familiar with Abu Dhabi, having served as the personal jiu-jitsu instructor to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, since 1993.

"I consider Abu Dhabi my second home," Gracie said. "I spend a lot of time in this beautiful country and couldn't feel more proud to be fighting here."

The pay-per-view broadcast will air live at 10 a.m., and a replay will be available at 7 p.m.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.