[Phoenix]

http://graymaynard.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/gray-maynard_everlast.jpg


The road to the UFC lightweight title is not an easy one to say the least, just ask Diego Sanchez. Yet for many fighters the real struggle is even making it to the sports premier proving ground. And waiting atop the hill is UFC lightweight champ BJ Penn.

For UFC lightweight Gray Maynard, he has climbed his way into title contention the old fashioned way...with hard work and dedication. A throw-back in every sense of the word, Maynard has taken the blue-collar approach to his MMA career. Devoid of the trash talking and big egos that many fighters have, Maynard has used that "lunch-pail type guy" attitude to lead him to 9 wins without a loss. But his success is nothing new. Maynard has used the same blueprint from his high school days in Lakewood, Ohio, to Michigan State University, and to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he trains with "Extreme Couture".

Coming off the heels of his win over Nate Diaz at UFC Fight Night 20, I had a chance to chat with Gray about his thoughts about facing Baby Jay, who he thinks is the pound for pound king, and what the future holds for "The Bully".



Phoenix: Gray, congrats on the win at UFC Fight Night 20. You had a hard fought win over Nate Diaz. Looking back, were you happy with your performance? And what (if anything) would you have done differently?

Gray Maynard: Yeah, I'm always happy with a win against a tough opponent. Hind sight is always 20/20, so there's always some things I would change. But fighting Nate or his brother Nick is never an easy task. They are tall, long, leftys, with good ju jitsu. It's never going to be a pretty win.

Phoenix: The Diaz brothers seem to revel in the trash talking to get their opponents to fight THEIR fight. You did a good job of not falling into Nates strength (jiu jitsu), and keeping the fight on its feet. Is it hard to stay focused on a fight plan?

Gray Maynard: Not really. It's hard to fight them because of their style and build. Like I said, it's never going to be a pretty win.

Phoenix: Your only blemish on an otherwise perfect record is the "NC" against Rob Emerson at the TUF 5 Finale. How badly do you want a chance to avenge that?

Gray Maynard: I'm not really worried about that. I want to fight the best guys.

Phoenix: You were next in line for a shot at BJ Penn's belt until Dana announced Frankie Edgar would get the fight. How was the decision (Edgar) explained to you, and did it motivate you more going into the Diaz fight?

Gray Maynard: Nobody in the UFC told me anything about getting a title shot. I think it was more speculation with the press. I knew I had Nate Diaz ahead of me, which is a very dangerous fight. It was easy for me to stay focused for him.

Phoenix: As you're now the man in the on-deck circle, what challenges does a guy like BJ Penn present? And what preparations will you need to make specifically to address his striking skills?

Gray Maynard: Right now, I haven't heard who I'm fighting next. So I'm not looking into anything to much. Anyone is beatable with the proper game plan. BJ is a very talented fighter, hopefully I will get the opportunity to fight him.

Phoenix: You were selected to Penn's team during TUF 5. He picked you to make the finals and even asked you to be a sparring partner. Is it hard to step in with a guy that you've trained with and befriended?

Gray Maynard: BJ's a good friend. But, I can't pass up an opportunity to fight for a belt. We've all been on this journey to the top for a long time. You meet people on the way and become friends, but you can't let that get in the way of accomplishing your ultimate goal of becoming a UFC world champion.

Phoenix: You've been training at 'Extreme Couture' for awhile now. What's the best tip/bit of advice that Randy Couture has given you?

Gray Maynard: Concentrate on the preparation, not the outcome.

Phoenix: It appears that 30 is the new 20 in MMA years. At age 30, how much longer would you like to compete, and what are your plans after your fight career?

Gray Maynard: I'd like to compete for 10 more years, but we will see what happens. I did a lot of real estate before I fought, maybe the market will be better by then. I would also like to keep close to the sport too, maybe coach and manage fighters.

Phoenix: There has been a long running debate as to which discipline has been the most effective in MMA. Many say wrestling, others say jiu jitsu. But it appears that wrestlers seem to be able to incorporate the striking aspect a lot easier than many jiu jitsu practitioners. From a wrestling background, what skills do you think have best prepared you for your success in mixed martial arts.

Gray Maynard: Work ethic!! Wrestling builds an unbelievable work ethic. That's the key to being successful in anything you do, and wrestling teaches that. It's no secret, it's just hard work. We can apply that to other sports and excel very quickly in them.

Phoenix: Who do you think is the best P4P fighter in MMA today?

Gray Maynard: Anderson Silva. The way he has gone through top ranked opponents is unbelievable.

Phoenix: You've won your last 6 fights by decision, with the last 2 coming by split decision. As a fighter are you concerned with leaving the decision up to the judges?

Gray Maynard: No, I knew I won all those fights before the decisions came out. Of course I would like to finish all those fights, but that's not realistic. Almost all the guys I fought have never been finished in their whole career. So we knew I had to go in there with a good game plan for all of them and be prepated for 3 hard rounds.

Phoenix: Gray, thanks again for taking time out of your schedule to speak with armchairfighters.com. We look forward to seeing you back in the octagon soon.


For the latest news and information on Gray Maynard, please check out (www.graymaynard.com)

[grapplethis]

so gray maynard is an anderson silva nut hugging UFC loving dana white clone? :lol: :lol:


jk nice interview phoenix.

[Waianae_Wahine]

Nice interview Phoenix! Gray seems like a very grounded person, cant wait to see whats next for him :thumbsup:

[Phoenix]

Thanks guys. Yeah Gray strikes me as a very down to earth guy with the right attitude about the fight game. You put in the hard work, and good things will come.

Thanks again to Gray for finding time to do the interview. He was in the corner of Mac Danzig at 109 and had been busy all that week. The embodiment of "blue-collar" if you ask me.

[Pilqs]

Good Interview, Phoenix.

[Phoenix]

Pilqs, on 15 February 2010 - 09:33 AM, said:

Good Interview, Phoenix.

Thanks my man. I agree with Gray 100% about the work ethic of wrestlers. Especially here in the U.S. I played basketball growing up, but i always remember the wrestlers (from as early as 7th grade) in the gym running laps, etc. The cardio & conditioning that wrestlers have is not only functional for the sport, but also the basis of making weight. If they can keep that intense training mentallity in mma & incorporate the other disciplines then its no wonder wrestlers have had such great success in mixed martial arts.

[Phoenix]

Special thanks to Misty over @ graymaynard.com. If you havent checked out Grays site please do! They have our interview featured on the front page of his site under "latest news" with a link back to ACF.

Thanks again to Misty (and Gray).

[maggotbrain]

awesome job again phoenix.. i really enjoy these.. very cool for the ACF

[Waianae_Wahine]

Phoenix, on 16 February 2010 - 06:50 PM, said:

Special thanks to Misty over @ graymaynard.com. If you havent checked out Grays site please do! They have our interview featured on the front page of his site under "latest news" with a link back to ACF.

Thanks again to Misty (and Gray).

Sweet !! I linked that article on my facebook, win win for all

[Showdown]

Awesome job man! :thumbsup:

[Ace]

Cool deal, good interview man.