Quote of the Day 2: Gray Maynard - "My Stand-up Is at the Top"

by Nick Thomas on Jan 11, 2010 12:57 PM EST in MMA News

"My last two (against Jim Miller and Roger Huerta) have been pretty much all stand-up," Maynard said backstage at Sunday's weigh-in. "There's people that kind of get it in their head, and they don't let it go. You can't please everyone. I know my stand-up is at the top, so I'm not stressing it at all."

"I'm really working to improve my skills and to do it right and just not flail around," Maynard says.

"What skills do I need?" Maynard says. "I don't think I need any. I'm ready to go, whenever. But I need to get past Nate first."

-- Gray Maynard happy to shed 'lay and pray' label.

HT: usatoday.com, mmamania.com

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i got nate ...

he’s gonna throw the whole division in a tizzy….lol.

by blam!thud... on Jan 11, 2010 1:03 PM EST reply actions

His standup has improved drastically. But he’s still not a striker. If he beats Diaz, he’ll be able to compare his new world class striking skills to BJ’s. Of which, IMO, he will be measured and found wanting.

by bubbafat on Jan 11, 2010 1:05 PM EST reply actions

If Nate chokes Gray out then the lightweight division will become even more f’n confusing.

The mat is my church, the ground is my heaven, Jiu-Jitsu is my religion. And once you hit the ground you're in my world. My world is like the ocean, I’m like a shark and most people don't even know how to swim - Draculino

by Patrick Tenney on Jan 11, 2010 1:05 PM EST reply actions

Or they'll just throw Frankie Edgar at BJ

by dv8shun on Jan 11, 2010 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

They’re doing that anyways.

by Matthew Roth on Jan 11, 2010 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t know why, but I have a feeling that Gray is going to knock Nate out cold this evening. Might possibly get thrown in the title picture before Edgar.

"If I wanted to spend a half hour between two hairy legs I'd go to your mother's house." -Don Frye

by mburtoni on Jan 11, 2010 1:11 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

I feel like alot of people hate on Gray for having a few boring fights, earlier on in his career. His fights against Miller and Huerta have been exciting, and he def. has the boxing and power to win a fight standing. I wouldnt be suprised if he knocked Diaz out, but I think he’ll get his first TKO victory in the 2nd round

by Fedorable on Jan 11, 2010 1:19 PM EST reply actions

He is quickly becoming the LW Kos...

at least career arc-wise.

by Razreshat on Jan 11, 2010 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

diaz ftw!

I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand

by vivero on Jan 11, 2010 1:25 PM EST reply actions

i think bjs gonna disagree with that

by milk72 on Jan 11, 2010 1:35 PM EST reply actions

when did beating nate diaz equal title shot?

by pmac06340 on Jan 11, 2010 2:07 PM EST reply actions

think it might have a little something to do with the whole beating huerta, miller and edgar too

by brazary on Jan 11, 2010 3:06 PM EST up reply actions

Mostly just Edgar.

The man know simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"

by Neil Manich on Jan 11, 2010 6:10 PM EST up reply actions

Might Have something to do with being on a 6 UFC fight win streak, and beating the other top contender.

by moonlapse88 on Jan 11, 2010 2:26 PM EST reply actions

Maynard's standup is steadily improving, but it is definitely not at the top

One thing that I notice with Maynard in the standup is that he seems to get overwhelmed in the standup, even if he is winning it, and takes the fight to the ground. Footwork-wise, it is not very good, and a fighter like Frankie Edgar has much better lateral movement and footwork. Handspeed-wise, I think that Tyson Griffin strikes faster, crisper, and in more combinations than Maynard.

by chrisbboy82 on Jan 11, 2010 6:59 PM EST reply actions

Please don't kill me but...

In the fight against Huerta Gray reminded of Machida… The way he was able to move in and take advantage of the openings Roger gave him, but I’m probably just high

"Fear not for God is with you, truly who should you fear?"- Ali

by xAtlasx on Jan 11, 2010 8:23 PM EST up reply actions

Maynard is actually good at going in and out, but I see holes in his standup. He doesn’t kick, and he only uses a limited number a striking combinations.

by chrisbboy82 on Jan 12, 2010 5:24 AM EST up reply actions