Gray "The Bully" Maynard Interview

UFC veteran Gray Maynard discusses training with BJ Penn, the current UFC lightweight division, his wrestling career and more

Pro Fighting Fans Director of marketing Luke Jernigan paid a visit to GriffonRawl MMA Academy in Mentor, Ohio on Sunday to attend a MMA seminar led by UFC star Gray Maynard, a man who many consider to be the top contender in the 155 pound division. Maynard was kind enough to provide an interview for Nick Kubik and Jernigan as part of both the NAAFS and Intimidation Clothing's sponsorship of the event. Maynard, who was a State Champion in Ohio wrestling at state powerhouse St. Edward's High School in Lakewood, continued his wrestling career at Michigan State where he was a teammate of former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans. A veteran of 10 professional MMA fights, Maynard is 9-0-1 with 7 straight wins over notable UFC lightweights Roger Huerta, Nate Diaz, Jim Miller and reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar in Edgar's lone carrer loss.

Throughout the day Maynard was very approachable and humble, showing a quiet confidence and calmness throughout his time instructing, signing autographs, having pictures taken and more. In the interview he fielded questions ranging from his thoughts on MMA scoring, his No Contest fight with Rob Emerson, his high school & college wrestling careers and the current UFC lightweight division's outlook. Maynard answered each question without hesitation and without the brash attitude that is seen with many athletes. While most of the interview was led by Nick Kubik of the NAAFS, here are some of the key points from our sit-down with Maynard. Click Here for the full audio interview on the NAAFS Web site.

Nick - You're 9-0-1 with one No Contest coming from Arizona and moved over to St. Ed's. What was the thought process in coming to Cleveland?

Gray - I have a lot of Aunts and Uncles in the area and my dad was a two-time state champ out here. (St. Ed's) has great sports and is an unbelievable school.

UFC veteran Jason Dent (left) watches as Gray Maynard (right) instructs the class.

Nick - Northeast Ohio, huge wrestling area with the Big Ten all around us with Penn State, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan State - why Michigan State?

Gray - There was a coach there, Roger Chandler, he went to St. Ed's and he ended up going to Indiana afterwards but he got the coaching job there. It was a good fit.

Nick - Three-time All-American, no slouch though. 8th as a sophomore, 7th & 7th (in the nation as a junior and senior). Are you happy with your college career?

Gray - Yeah I'm happy. For a long time I thought for sure I would get the National Championship. After college I think I was a little disappointed, but that's what happens.

Nick - After college you got go preofessional; you've got the WWE or the UFC, two routes that you can go. You get a call from BJ Penn to spar?

Gray - Yeah, I was training and had moved back to Las Vegas after 2004. MMA has been big there for a long time. There are a lot of small gyms. I was going to a jiu jitsu gym for a bit to train and there were a lot of people from Hawaii there. Word got back to Penn that I was good so he called me up and I didn't know who (he) was or anything, but it was a free trip to Hawaii.

Nick - You were reunited with Penn at The Ultimate Fighter 5. Was there a comfort level there since you knew Penn?

Gray - There's not really too much comfort going on just because it's a TV show and it's akward. It's a house where you can't listen to music, you can't talk to anyone, you're cut off, you can't read or do anything. So it wasn't too easy to do. There's no comfort whatsoever.

Nick - How does a wrestler like you feel about having one of the fastest knockout's in UFC history? (Maynard scored a KO victory at UFC Fight Night 11 over Joe Veres in just 9 seconds.)

Gray - (Laughs) That was a quick payday. That's always nice.

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Nick - Unanimous Decision over Frankie Edgar. You're the only person to beat him. Do you hold that dear to your heart as well?

Gray - Yeah, I mean it was a good one. That was a couple of years ago and to be honest, it wasn't even that tough. You know it was a good one but I thought Nate (Diaz) was pretty akward, that was a scrap. I went up against Huerta, that guy was tough to beat. You just have to keep going. It's all in the past now.

Gray Maynard goes over wrestling technique at GriffonRawl MMA Academy in Mentor, OH.

Luke - What are your thoughts on the BJ Penn vs Frankie Edgar fight?

Gray - I was watching it but there was a lot of texts a lot of calling so I could not really watch it. I know that all the rounds were pretty close. Penn looked good for rounds 1, 2 and 3. Edgar, he started coming on 3, 4 and 5. If I really wanted to I could try to check it out a couple more times.

Luke - You're undefeated in your MMA career and the only man to beat the reigning UFC lightweight champion. Do you think you should be the one to face Edgar in his first title defense?

Gray - I would think it's between me and Penn. I can kinda understand where they are coming from if it's Penn because it was really close and he is a big name & draw. It's a job of course, you gotta make some money so I can understand that. If it's either me or Penn I'm cool. If it's anyone else then I'll be pretty pissed.

Luke - Current rumors point to a Penn vs Edgar rematch at UFC 118 in Boston with you facing Kenny Florian. Can you confirm or deny these reports?

Gray - I've heard them, I just haven't talked to anyone. That's alright; I'd like to do that.

Luke - What are your thoughts on fighting either Kenny Florian or BJ Penn in order to earn a title shot?

Gray - If it's gonna go down like that with Florian and me then whoever would win that would probably be the #1 guy for the belt.

Nick - Now that you have signed autographs for hours on end for fans, what do MMA fans mean to you?

Gray - MMA fans, they're everything.

Nick - We had a Strikeforce event last night where I think MMA took a little bit of a black eye. Should there be consequences for unsportsmanlike conduct whether inside or outside the cage?

Gray - That was held in Nashvile, I think. The commission down there, I think they are pretty strict. We'll see what happens.

Nick - You know some of these guys, the Diaz brothers were involved in that yesterday. Unexpected? Or how far do you thnk this set us back? I mean national TV, this is our shot to show people this isn't barbaric.

Gray - That was not that good, I think, but I don't really know what was going on. I don't think all the corners should be allowed in there. The UFC, they only allow one corner to go into the cage so I don't know what happened there.

By Luke Jernigan
ProFighting-fans.com Director of Marketing
Photos by Luke Jernigan