Frankie Edgar Victorious at UFC 136

"Come on, Francis!"

Call it a good-natured taunt. Some schoolyard encouragement.

Though millions would view the main event fight around the world, defending Frankie "The Answer" Edgar could only get that type of support in one place— his native Toms River.

On Saturday evening, the hometown faithful packed the on Hooper Avenue to show their support for Edgar as he defended his belt against Gray "The Bully" Maynard.

It wasn't just fight fans who gathered to watch the highly anticipated bout. These were Edgar's former schoolmates, neighbors and friends.

Hours before Edgar would finish Maynard by knockout with a flurry of ferocious punches in the fourth round, the crowded barroom was thick with anticipation. 

The mere sight of Edgar, shown in previously recorded video arriving at The Toyota Center in Houston, elicited an uproar of applause from the steadily growing crowd as they bellied up the bar or crowded around tables.

In his victory, Edgar would prove himself a true champion— not just in his ability to overcome and overpower an opponent, but in his ability to strengthen and inspire a community.

Edgar's Knockout of the Night performance ends what has become a career defining rivalry with Maynard. 

UFC 136 marked the third time the pair met in the octagon. Maynard dealt Edgar his first and only loss in UFC competition with a unanimous decision in their first meeting in April of 2008. Edgar returned the favor this weekend, besting the previously undefeated Maynard.

Although their second meeting, on January 1 of this year, ended in a draw, the fight saw Edgar survive one of the most brutal first rounds in mixed martial arts history and solidified the champion's place as one of the toughest competitors in the history of the sport. Edgar became the only fighter in UFC history to survive three knock downs and continue to fight. He also did it inside of one round.

Shades of that January meeting were apparent in Saturday's bout. Maynard lived up to his "Bully" moniker, using his superior size to take control of the fight early, landing several powerful head punches and sending Edgar to the ground twice.

After winning in points for rounds two and three, Edgar stunned the challenger with a series of vicious right hands to the head to the near deafening approval of screaming fans. Presented with the opportunity to finish the fight, he unloaded on Maynard, pummeling him to the ground before the referee stopped the match.

Never one to forget his hometown, the champion delivered a post-fight interview seemingly tailor-made for the bar audience.

"TR, baby," Edgar said, pointing to the camera. "I'm bringing the belt home."