Gray Maynard

Bradley Gray Maynard (born May 9, 1979) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight and Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

[6] Maynard competed in college wrestling at Michigan State University, and made his UFC debut in 2007.

Maynard's father, Jan, was a two-time Ohio high school state wrestling champion.

In 1997, he placed second in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) state tournament in the 140 lb weight class for Division I.

[7] Maynard wrestled alongside former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans at Michigan State University.

[12] Upon graduation, Maynard ranked 11th all-time in MSU history with 106 career wins and seventh with 26 falls.

With his wrestling connections, he eventually became a student and training partner of UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture.

In the quarterfinals, Maynard faced Brandon Melendez in a tough matchup and won the fight with a guillotine choke in the second round.

As part of The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale preliminary Card on June 23, 2007, Maynard fought Rob Emerson in a controversial Lightweight fight.

The referee believed that Maynard also could not continue because he seemed to have hit his head on the mat and knocked himself out due to the force of his own slam.

Next Maynard won a unanimous decision victory over Dennis Siver at UFC Fight Night 12 earning scores of (29–28, 30–27, and 29–28).

At UFC Fight Night 13, he faced lightweight standout Frankie Edgar in the first bout of their rivalry.

[17] Maynard also worked as an assistant wrestling coach for Forrest Griffin as part of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs.

Maynard then fought at UFC 96, against lightweight Jim Miller, winning by unanimous decision once again, with all three judges scoring the bout 30–27.

Maynard defeated TUF 5 lightweight champion Nate Diaz via split decision at UFC Fight Night 20.

[31] In turn, Maynard stepped up as an injury replacement for Abel Trujillo after he pulled out of a bout with Ross Pearson.

[33] After the loss to Pearson, signed a new, eight-fight contract and moved back to Las Vegas to train at Xtreme Couture.

[44] A year later, Maynard revealed that he had parted ways with the UFC after a tenure which lasted over a decade, covering almost his whole professional mixed martial arts career.

[2] Gray Maynard co-starred in the movie, Art of Submission with Ving Rhames and Ernie Reyes, Jr. Maynard also was an Assistant Coach alongside Forrest Griffin and Tyson Griffin with head coach Rich Franklin on the last episode of the 11th season of The Ultimate Fighter.