Gray Maynard seeking redemption, respect, and UFC gold
Gray Maynard is mad as hell and ain’t gonna take it anymore! The former Michigan State University wrestling standout has been training for his upcoming rematch with Frankie Edgar with nothing but hate fueling him.
“I am going into this fight angry,” Maynard wrote in his blog for Sportsnet. “Not angry at Edgar – he did what he had to and is tough and a good fighter. Nothing personal with him, other than I need to beat him worse than ever to make sure everyone understands I am the best fighter at 155 pounds.”
Edgar (13-1-1) and Maynard (10-0-1) will be facing off for the third time on October 8 at UFC 136. Maynard won the first meeting, while the two fought to a five-round draw for Edgar’s lightweight title back in January.
For the Ultimate Fighter alum, taking the title off of Edgar is the only way to gain respect in the sport. Maynard isn’t much for pre-fight talk, preferring to display his abilities and talents inside the Octagon.
“I come from college wrestling, and I had that mentality drilled into me where you don’t talk smack, you don’t praise yourself, there no “I” in team, you just work hard, get the results and you will be recognized for what you actually accomplish in the sport,” Maynard wrote. “That works great in college wrestling, but five years into my MMA career, I know now it doesn’t work exactly like that in the UFC.”
“The Bully” was upset following the decision by the judges to declare the bout a draw, as he felt like he was quite deserving of the win. After stepping back, however, Maynard realized that he needs to be more aggressive and look to finish Edgar once and for all.
“Even now, having beat Edgar one time and doing the most damage and nearly knocking him out in the rematch, he’s the favorite to win this third fight,” Maynard posted. “It is funny, I really don’t know how else to say it other than how I feel: I don’t think I am getting the credit I deserve.”
The first meeting between these two went to Maynard via unanimous decision in 2008. Maynard went on to defeat the likes of Jim Miller, Roger Huerta, Nate Diaz, and Kenny Florian, while Edgar has beaten B.J. Penn twice including a defense of the title he took from the popular Hawaiian.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Jacoby Harms is
| All posts by Jacoby Harms
I guess they have to do it again, but I’m the he biggest supporter of the trilogy, especially with so much new talent in the lighter divisions. Like Gray, I’ll just hope for a solid outcome once and for all (which is actually asking a lot becasue they’re both high level fighters and neither one takes big chances). We shall see.
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It doesn’t matter who wins Because after Ben Henderson beats Guida he’s coming to grind out a championship win… It’s just a matter of time.
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nice way to hype the fight. Maynard shouldn’t be the underdog.
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Maynard has got this.. and then after Edgar loses he needs to drop to 145 and take Aldo’s title. Maynard vs Bendo wuld be one hell of a fight
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Besides the first round in their second fight Frankie Edgar beat Gray in all aspects of MMA. He will probably just not get caught in the first round and dance around on the outside and use his speed to strike and take down for points.
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I don’t really like either one, although I do respect them as fighters, but I hops Maynard knocks him out.
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I’m not a fan of ether of these fighters. I’d personally rather see Bendo or Guida with the strap.
If Maynard can develop a killer instinct, I think he can take this. But my guess is he doesn’t and will loose the Dec.
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maynard takes this fight..maynard will not lose a decision this time…guida will never hold the belt in his first title defense if he gets it…love the guy and his pace but its a fact..maynard will walk away once and for all with this belt
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