UFC 118 SB Nation Exclusive Interview: Gray Maynard Talks Title Shot
by Brent Brookhouse on Aug 30, 2010 10:59 PM EDT
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David St. Martin catches up with Gray Maynard in the wake of his win over Kenny Florian at UFC 118 in an exclusive SBNation.com interview:
I would think tactic-wise both Florian and Edgar would have a similar gameplan against you, moving in and out of range.
I believe I'll be able to open up in the striking more. With a southpaw you have to wait a bit more and that's all I've been fighting recently. Rich Clementi, Jim Miller, Roger Huerta, Nate Diaz, and now Florian, all southpaws. It's been the same thing in every fight. They're not the easiest to go up against just because they're a change of pace. That's why a lot of people don't know how to deal with them. Against Edgar, I'll be able to open up a lot more. He used his footwork really well but I've boxed a lot of good guys who can move and throw punches in flurries. That's fine, I'm prepared for that.
Are you able to look at BJ Penn's performances against Edgar and recognize things he did wrong and how you'll do something differently?
BJ has never been a guy to try to move a lot. He stalks people. You have to be able to move, so I think that was a problem for him. I don't know if he's into it anymore or what, you just can't tell. I didn't have a chance to talk to him backstage.
You have a reputation as not being able to finish fights, always going to a decision. Is that a result of your fighting style or just fighting tough guys? None of these guys you've fought recently are getting stopped too often.
That's what I keep telling people! Who is stopping them? Name a name and I'll bow down, but who is stopping these guys? That's why I can't pay attention to these people. If you're a true sports fan who enjoys MMA and really try to understand it, you'll get it. Look at Edgar. He's only ever lost to myself. Look at Clementi, who has 52 professional fights and has only been stopped a handful of times. Jim Miller has only lost to the champion and myself. Huerta has never been stopped. Pretty much the same thing with Nate Diaz. Florian did get stopped by Penn, but you see what I mean. It's an excuse, but that's just how it is. I'm asking for the top guys. The decisions are just part of it. The sport is growing so much that these fights are just going to keep getting closer and closer. I don't know what people are going to do, but there are going to be a lot more close fights. More fighters are able to pull in the cash you need to hire the top coaches and eat and train right. We're going up against the guys where that's all they do year round. They train everyday. The gap is going to start to close on these title fights. Guys are getting better and better. People will start to appreciate it, it just takes time.
Read the rest at SBNation.com.
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Gray Maynard
Gray Maynard could very well be the next Lightweight champ.Maynard style maybe what takes the title from Frankie Edgar.
by TERRENCEFROMSOUTHEAST on Aug 30, 2010 9:42 PM EDT reply actions
I dont think it’s as likely as everyone is making it out to be. Yes, maynards wrestling and top control is very high level and probably the only other guy who’s been able to display that same kind of style is Sean Sherk.
Edgar beat sherk definitely. Frankie’s new style of fighting and with his speed he’s going to be very hard to beat.
Hmmm
if BJ can take Frankie down, then for sure Gray can too. I was surprised that Frankie couldn’t stop those takedowns and more surprised that BJ only went for a couple.
Exactly
Frankie didn’t seem too hard for Penn to take down, and also even before the Penn fights I remember him having a lot of trouble against Matt Veach before he decked him good.
Josh Barnett is a thrice proven juicer with a pro wrestling mindset and a personality that would lead you to believe he's never had a romantic encounter that didn’t start with "you gotta pay me upfront."
I'm pretty sure
I remember Veach just picking up Edgar and slamming him, but my memory is shit and it could probably have been the other way around.
Sure he got taken down by BJ, but what happened after the takedown? That’s right, not a goddamned thing. Who cares if Gray takes Frankie down, he will have to hold him there and actually do something. Its not like Gray was smashing KenFlo on the ground.
by sadface on Aug 31, 2010 3:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Gray’s top control is far superior to BJ’s, if he gets him down he keep him down for significant stretches.
Gray still seems to have too much respect for BJJ, presumably from his TUF loss to Diaz, but that won’t be a concern against Edgar.
Considering he has the highest current TD% in the UFC currently, its safe to say he’ll get Edgar down early and, if needed, often.
Edgar does have a hell of a gas tank though, and if he makes it through the first 3 rounds somehow only down 2-1 I’d have to like him for the win…
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer
Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...
by BigDNotDallas on Aug 31, 2010 11:04 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Gray’s top control is far superior to BJ’s
Really? Having BJ on top of you was until Edgar one of the surest ways to lose.
Guillotine.
Unfortunately, BJ is not what he was before his second fight against GSP.
Having said that, there have been no long, strong elite wrestlers at LW, and Gray’s top control, while not quite GSP-esq or Lesnar like is certainly the best at LW.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer
Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...
by BigDNotDallas on Aug 31, 2010 11:26 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I should say hard to beat in five rounds…
Edgar will be very mindful of Gray’s wrestling. Edgar was opening up more and wasnt very mindful of BJ’s takedowns later on.
But It’s a close fight. Can Gray Lay n pray enough to win 3 rounds? Maybe but the thinking that Gray is a significant favorite – I dont buy.
One thing I know… it will most likely be one of the most boring ass fights from an aesthetic and casual perspective we’ll ever see – even though technically it will be interesting.
If Frankie lands a couple of those big rights on Gray that he landed on BJ, I think Gray will get dropped, too.
I rarely tweet
I less-rarely write
"I ain't having it" - Buster Posey, hosing folks down
You Express Some Good Insight.
However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, including an MMA scrap. I look forward to seeing the two best LW’s in the world go at it.
I hope you're right...
However, Edgar beat the new “screw wrestling, I’m going to box!” Sherk. This still makes me bitter as I was/am a Sherk fan. I’d love to see Edgar beat Maynard, but I have a feeling Maynard will be able to take it with his size and wrestling. Hopefully I’m wrong!
I want Edgar v. Maynard to have the same ending as....
Maynard v. Emurson
That would be a hilarious ending to this PR nightmare of a fight :)
Now, all jokes aside, i hope this turns out to be a good match between the future generation of UFC LW fighters
"I drop knowledge so heavy it leaves the world unbalanced, Exterminate the spiritual force of all that challenge, I'm the lyrical apocalypse that crumbles the granite, Replacing you as the dominant species on the planet" - Immortal Technique
*emerson
"I drop knowledge so heavy it leaves the world unbalanced, Exterminate the spiritual force of all that challenge, I'm the lyrical apocalypse that crumbles the granite, Replacing you as the dominant species on the planet" - Immortal Technique
I agree with Maynard
He’s dead on in this case. Finishes are something fans crave, but are gonna have to get used to going without. The level of competition these days is neck and neck. Just a trend that will continue. Doesn’t bother me personally. But I know a lot of people get pissed about guys like Maynard, Edgar, etc…
’’Apparently the the only way to kill a lion is by rear naked choke…personally I'd just kick it in the head.’’ – Bas Rutten
Glad to see Gray get some more exposure, it’s well deserved and this was a good read.
Part of Gray’s “problem” is that he makes other fighters extremely tentative. Except Nate Diaz, who can’t be backed down.
Most top level guys, faced with that scenario, would blow through the aforementioned “tentative” fighter like shit through a goose. What do you think Shogun, GSP, or especially Lesnar would do to a fighter who was intimidated by them? What did Chuck in his prime do to fighters who were intimidated by his Iceman aura? Thats why those guys sell out 20k arenas and make millions, and Grey Maynard can draw flies if he was dead by the side of the road.
by Hutchy on Aug 30, 2010 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Amazing!
The UFC wastes a tremendous amount of Marketing money on it’s supposed Professional Staff.
They need only check this Forum and Hutchys post. Maybe the most original, clever Marketing genius to rear their head. You would think that one with such, uhh, expertise would follow his true calling rather than wasting his time as just another keyboard hater.
He has a valid point. You don’t need to be an asshole about it.
by sadface on Aug 31, 2010 3:27 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Gray fights smart both tactically and minimizes the damage he takes. He is probably not the talent that either of the above guys are (you’re making comparison vs. a pretty select group there), and he makes the most of what he has – a game suited to control rather than finishing.
Chuck’s strategy of going blow for blow with people and winning has resulted in brain damage. Not so sure your health is worth selling out for millions when you are making decent scratch already.
If you don’t appreciate what he does and is capable of, that’s fine. You might be in for a rough few months at LW.
Ive said this a million times, but………I dont get pissed about a lack of finish. I get pissed about fighters not even making an effort. I had absolutely no problem with GSP/Hardy, GSP did everything short of tear off Hardy’s arm and throw it in the front row. Hardy is just a tough son of a bitch (which is partly why there was so much whining from the internet crowd about that fight, they generally hate Hardy and dont like being proven wrong when he showed guts like that). I mean, standing there staring at Florian for minutes at a time doing literally nothing, and then shrugging and saying “Hey, no one finishes Florian”, come on. That is disingenous at best. I have seen Maynard go for a finish all of one time: the kimura on Huerta. Its just as tiresome as Kos going into his patented rant for the 37th time about how THIS time, hes gonna go for the KO, and then going and laying on guys for 3 rounds.
by Hutchy on Aug 30, 2010 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
See! Amazing.
This guy is just the cat’s meow. I could just watch him go on forever. Man o man o man. Just keep that good stuff coming. I mean, wow, just what an original take. Gosh, just look at his stuff ! Bravo! Encore!………..Jeeez, spare me, man.
I agree with Hutchy
But not sarcastically.
You’re not refuting what he’s saying, your just being a twat.
Gray is an awful finisher, and when he says he’s not and makes excuses it makes it even worse, he has a win over a lot of tough guys, granted, but 7 decisions in a row?
It’s time for Gray to admit it, and tell people he’s going to try and work on finishing; that sort of humble honesty, (instead of the cocky douchiness we’re getting) would stop a lot of the hate he gets.
Jon Jones LHW Champion 2011
Here Are Some Stat's For You, "Hutchy" And Remainder Of Your Hate Club.
In the UFC Maynards opponents, in roughly 75 fights, have been finished a total of 3 times.
I don’t doubt that of Gray Maynard’s 9 UFC Fights he has thrashed at least one of your heroes, and I feel your pain.
You know it's funny
I just went to his Wiki
I started at his first two fights, and I’m only 2 opponents in and I already have 8 finishes.
Did ‘you’ choose which 75 fights? ;)
Maybe try again.
Also no, I dislike most of his opponents, I don’t like Nate Diaz but half way through I started rooting for him, guy got robbed in that decision.
Jon Jones LHW Champion 2011
Gray and Pray LW Champion 2011
Seriously, Man.
Why would I even try to refute a hate post. I do have a little fun responding to the total absurdity of the reasoning (or lack thereof) in posts such as yours and your Parrot Familia.
I'm not sure how my post was absurd
I pointed out your numbers were incorrect, feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.
(Work kept me away for a few days)
Jon Jones LHW Champion 2011
Gray and Pray LW Champion 2011
You are just to cool
I swear If I didn’t know better I’d say you were gray Maynard but even your annoying ass isn’t as boring as him tehach
"Don't be scared homie!" Mayhem Miller
by We All Hate Caleb on Aug 31, 2010 5:40 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I Am Flattered!
By the same token I am absolutely astonished at your level of self importance. Do you actually think that any Fighter as successful as Gray Maynard would give a twit as to what an anonymous hater on an internet forum who is challenged by the remedial usage of “to” has thinks?
Hutchy is right
and if you’re tired of people saying your favorite fighters are boring, maybe they should learn how to beat people convincingly.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
There’s plenty of value in dominating a guy technically over the course of 15 or 25 minutes and stopping everything he wants to do. I’m sure it’s more gratifying than getting into some sloppy exchange and seeing who falls first.
The whining about Hardy was that he was not skilled enough to take on GSP nor had beaten good enough opposition to warrant a title shot. The UFC looked to him over superior WWs for marketing reasons (fresh face, trash talk). Not because people didn’t think he was tough – how can anyone with a mohawk not be tough?
This is the kind of interview that reminds me why I'm a Gray Maynard fan
It’s so true, his strength of record has really been best of the best, and he’s undefeated!! Who cares if he’s going to decision- I hadn’t even thought about how difficult it must be to face all of these southpaws in a row. A literal murderer’s row of fighters.
I’m excited because I truly believe Maynard has real power in his hands and hasn’t had the opportunity to showcase it. I think this fight with Edgar will be his arrival on the scene. Gray is a physical specimen- I mean the guy has got to walk around close to 185 lbs. He’s a massive guy and handles the weight cut perfectly. He has tight, underrated boxing that people can’t see the full extent of because he’s fighting all southpaws, much more unnatural. He is one of the top MMA wrestling trainers in the business- So many people go to him for help. And on top of that, he has an incredible work ethic.
This fight is going to sell a lot more than people think. I think it will actually appeal to the casual fan more than people think, if marketed correctly. but we have two incredible collegiate wrestlers who got where they got by working hard. Both are great stories- the build up can be all positive about who wants it the most. I think this on the GSP vs. Koscheck card would do awesome to promote both guys, whatever the outcome.
I’ve got big walnuts. Gorilla nuts.
Really? He hasnt had the opportunity? Facing Diaz, Huerta, and Florian all in a row? In aa fight with Diaz where it never hit the mat? What exactly WOULD be the opportunity, I would ask? A written invitation, perhaps?
by Hutchy on Aug 30, 2010 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Like the guy said below, I don't believe Huerta is a southpaw
but that was his most exciting fight of recent, and he performed very well against a game and focused Roger.
Diaz and Florian are very rangy southpaws and both have an incredible skillset, and like it or not, he won. He will be able to open up his boxing, being more comfortable facing a right hander.
but you can get snarky if you want
I’ve got big walnuts. Gorilla nuts.
by Austin Martin on Aug 30, 2010 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok, allow me to get snarky: the idea that any truly top tier fighter would EVER, in a thousand years, put on boring, tentative performance after tentative performance and blame it, with an 8-10 week camp and endless sparring partners, on facing a southpaw is laughable. I’m picturing that interview, after Shogun danced away from whoever for 5 rounds flicking his jab like Tim Sylvia lite, saying “Well you know, I WANTED to open up, but……hey, he IS a southpaw after all!!” (Thunderous booooos rain down from the rafters) “Wha?? Those damn lefties are tricky!!”
by Hutchy on Aug 30, 2010 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
letting in all go in a title fight is much different from standard fights
I’ve got big walnuts. Gorilla nuts.
by Austin Martin on Aug 30, 2010 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Your Schtick Is Becoming Abrasive.
Speaking of preparation, you have spent enough time sparring. Have the nerve to at least admit that you are a Maynard hater.
I don't find it abrasive at all
Mostly because I’m a Gray Hater ;D
His personality and conservative fighting style and excuses.. ugh,
At least Anderson and GSP apologized for not finishing a fight.
That being said, I think he has Frankie’s number, but I think BJ straight merc’s him out.
I sense a love triangle at 155
Jon Jones LHW Champion 2011
Why would you think BJ takes Maynard?
Maynard is a terrible match-up for BJ, especially now that his TDD and even BJJ of all things are not nearly what they were 2+ years ago (maybe much longer on the BJJ part).
Maybe GSP also broke him when he ruined him…
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer
Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...
by BigDNotDallas on Aug 31, 2010 11:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think BJ ruins Maynard
IF you watched how Edgar took down Penn he used his speed , he got behind Penn, his doubles were lightning fast and often counters, it wasn’t standard fair.
His speed and head movement, stopped Penn from being able to counter punch.
Grays take downs are standard, his striking is solid but he’s not especially fast.
If GSP broke BJ it probably would have come up in his Diego and Kenny fights.
Jon Jones LHW Champion 2011
Gray and Pray LW Champion 2011
Fair points, but I don't see BJ taking Maynard
Maynard is not GSP, but he has an excellent shot – one good enough to take BJ down I believe.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer
Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...
by BigDNotDallas on Aug 31, 2010 5:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
yeah it's tough
I think if Gray can get BJ down he’ll do a better job than Edgar at keeping him down, as he’s much bigger and has a good top game.
I wonder if we’ll get to see this match up?
Jon Jones LHW Champion 2011
Gray and Pray LW Champion 2011
Which is funny
’cause your “clever” sarcasm above is much more annoying.
I rarely tweet
I less-rarely write
"I ain't having it" - Buster Posey, hosing folks down
by woomikee on Aug 31, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Nothing More Annoying Than Parrots.
Limited knowledge because they don’t need it. Just parrot what your forum heroes spew.
Gray, for the last time, Huerta is NOT a southpaw
Official Machida Nuthugger.
Cigano, it is your time to avenge your master's loss!
Making the world a better place, one dirtbag at a time.
He meant "South of the Border" paw
"I drop knowledge so heavy it leaves the world unbalanced, Exterminate the spiritual force of all that challenge, I'm the lyrical apocalypse that crumbles the granite, Replacing you as the dominant species on the planet" - Immortal Technique
then all americans are southpaws to me then
Official Machida Nuthugger.
Cigano, it is your time to avenge your master's loss!
Making the world a better place, one dirtbag at a time.
by CC11 on Aug 30, 2010 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Strike true CC11, strike true.
"I drop knowledge so heavy it leaves the world unbalanced, Exterminate the spiritual force of all that challenge, I'm the lyrical apocalypse that crumbles the granite, Replacing you as the dominant species on the planet" - Immortal Technique
and he almost did finish Huerta- the guy wouldnt tap to a vicious kimura, I’m sure his arm was kinda fucked up after that. Against most guys, that is a finish, Huerta is damn tough.
I like Maynard, he gets the hate that evades GSP becuz he aint as pretty. Edgar Maynard is going to be very close, I think that Maynard will be more aggressive than ppl are used to (as he hints in the interview) and he gets the belt.
having herpes probably didnt help either
Official Machida Nuthugger.
Cigano, it is your time to avenge your master's loss!
Making the world a better place, one dirtbag at a time.
The fuck?
"The path to enlightenment is through suffering"
by RearNakedChoker on Aug 30, 2010 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
there was an interview a while back
where Grays herpes were acting up, said something about having it since he was little.
"I drop knowledge so heavy it leaves the world unbalanced, Exterminate the spiritual force of all that challenge, I'm the lyrical apocalypse that crumbles the granite, Replacing you as the dominant species on the planet" - Immortal Technique
Ahhh
Thanks for the clarification. And ew.
"The path to enlightenment is through suffering"
by RearNakedChoker on Aug 31, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Also
When GSP doesn’t finish he gets on the mic and says
“I’m very sorry I didn’t finish the fight, I will try harder next time”
When Gray doesn’t finish a fight he makes excuses or says people are ignorant.
Being honest and humble goes along way Gray, give it a whirl.
Jon Jones LHW Champion 2011
You think Gray is dishonest and not humble?
GSP didn’t finish Fitch, Alves or Hardy. So you are a fan of the interview?
Who even cares, GSP beats people down seamlessly for 5 rounds. This is a sport.
I'm a fan of good attitudes
Gray comes off like a douche bag to me.
I’m not saying he’s dishonest, I’m sure he believes what he’s saying, maybe he’s just not very self-aware.
I am saying he isn’t humble though.
I actually like Fitch who’s decision ratio is almost as bad as Grays, it’s not just about his inability or aversion to finishing; everything I’ve ever seen from Gray makes me dislike him.
It’s my opinion.
Jon Jones LHW Champion 2011
Gray and Pray LW Champion 2011
So you think he’s being dishonest when he says it’s getting more and more difficult to finish highly skilled/trained fighters?
Pro fighters can flatten stunned fighters in a split second. But it’s nowhere as easy as it looks, especially when the other guy is capable of regaining his wits and countering. If all either guy had to do to win was attack straight ahead, it’d probably be done a little more by both sides.
I Know I Sure Do
By The Way, Why Are We Capitalizing Every Word?
Ignorance ≠ not taking your view point
juuust so you know.
Jon Jones LHW Champion 2011
Gray and Pray LW Champion 2011
Maynard/Edgar wont be a fight for you.
It will require a degree of comprehension skills, an attention span longer than that of a gnat and the intelligence to avoid being easily outwitted by large stones.
This fight will be a quantum leap beyond your limitations…..Sorry.
I'd love to know
Exactly what it is that Maynard’s going to do in the next 6 months that will completely revamp the way he fights. Since you clearly have insider information from his camp, please fill us in. Maybe you can convince me to spend $50 on this. Because I’m not interested in paying $50 to watch Maynard play it safe in the octagon, take Edgar down and LnP for 5 rounds now that he’s got a real chance at the belt.
by Ironbuddha on Aug 31, 2010 1:27 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
As I Stated Above
the outline of those who will be unable to enjoy Maynard/Edgar ; And guess what, you save yourself some money.
You remind me of the people who try to convince me every four years that soccer is a mystical, higher-level game that I’d appreciate if I could only grasp its complexity.
Those people are wrong too.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
by Monte Fisto on Aug 31, 2010 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Convince You?
Of what? I would be remiss if I made the slightest effort in defense of this fight to you.
You don’t get it , Man. Find something compatible to your limited horizons.
You realize that this is a public forum right?
When you write something on it, you’re either trying to convince people of something, or you’re just engaging in written masturbation. Sorry for giving you the benefit of the doubt.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
Nice to see your intelligent response
To Maynard’s thoughtful and informative interview.
"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.
Support independent artists
http://worldisart365.blogspot.com/
by Worldisart on Aug 30, 2010 11:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Have you ever heard the guy talk? His voice and lack of charisma could put people into comas. Literally the most dull person I have ever heard speak in my entire life. So much so, that he invokes the reaction I posted above.
Gray
Boring color
His parents knew what’s was up when’s him.
He’s like that teacher that only gave notes all year.
"Don't be scared homie!" Mayhem Miller
by We All Hate Caleb on Aug 31, 2010 10:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
*when they named him
Love it when my phone deletes words.
"Don't be scared homie!" Mayhem Miller
by We All Hate Caleb on Aug 31, 2010 10:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Compared To The Degree Of Intellect Emanating From The Parrot Section
Gray Maynard is a Haileys Comet, Lighthouse Beacon all rolled in to one, in comparison.
Says The Buffoon In The Kangaroo Outfit Who Talks Funny
and is really a Parrot.
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