UFC 125: Gray Maynard "Making a Statement"

UFC Lightweight Gray Maynard faces Frankie Edgar at UFC 125 on Jan. 1, 2011

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Although Gray “The Bully” Maynard remains unbeaten (10-0, NC) and has defeated eight consecutive opponents since arriving via The Ultimate Fighter 5, UFC 125 will be the first time the former Michigan State University wrestler fights for UFC gold. Among the eight straight opponents that he defeated include Nate Diaz, Kenny Florian, and his UFC 125 main event opponent Frank Edgar. Back in April 2008 at UFC Fight Night 13, Maynard dominated the current champion by utilizing takedowns as well as his grappling abilities on his way to a unanimous decision victory.

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Don’t look for Maynard to deviate from his previous game plan too much. He has been successful in the past, so there is no reason to believe that he will come out with a brand new strategy for this championship bout. Although he has been criticized throughout his career for not finishing fights, Maynard has stayed true to the skills that keep him among the best lightweights in the sport.

Those skills that have helped him earn this title opportunity include his grappling, ground and pound, and his takedown defense. Maynard has shown great determination while securing takedown after takedown driving right through his opponents and converting by slamming them to the mat. After taking top position, Maynard has mastered the ability of ground and pounding his opponents with strategic technique, a skill no doubt fine tuned after years of training with former Champ Randy Couture at Xtreme Couture. Finally, opponents have found it difficult to gain an advantage even in the stand-up with Maynard, who has shown the ability to avoid the big bombs as well as takedowns from his opponents, making it hard to get ahead on him.

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A victory over Edgar not only makes him the undisputed UFC Lightweight Champ, but also will make believers of “The Bully”. He without question was passed over in recent bouts for a title shot due to his less than entertaining style. If he claims victory over Edgar, he will erase any doubts that officials have about giving him that title shot. A victory over Edgar may also prove even more valuable than at fight glance. Rumors have it that if Maynard were to defeat Edgar, he would serve as one of the coaches on the upcoming 13 th season of The Ultimate Fighter.

A loss would hurt Maynard quite possibly more than it would hurt his champion opponent. After having to win eight straight fights to earn a title opportunity, who knows how long it would take for him to earn a second chance at the title. Especially after the WEC lightweights join forces on the UFC roster, the division becomes even more competitive. The only way to avoid all of the speculation is to win and "control your own" destiny.

For as long as it took Maynard to get his title shot, he will no doubt try and make the most of it. With a prior victory over Edgar and a long dominating winning streak behind him, “The Bully” may just have a slight mental advantage. The intangibles and mental edge will only get him so far, in order to walk out as the company’s lightweight champion, he will have to produce once again inside the octagon, a feeling that he has become very familiar with.

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer