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).

In 1997, he placed second in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) state tournament in the 140 lb weight class for Division I. In 1998, he was the state champion at the 152 lb weight class.

His high school record was an impressive 135–16, including being undefeated in his sophomore and senior years.

His nickname of "Bully" came from his dog, Hank, a bull terrier he rescued.

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

They were also roommates.

He was redshirted in his freshman year.

In 2001, he placed eighth at the NCAA Division I Collegiate Wrestling Championship at 157 lb weight class.

In 2002 and 2003, he placed seventh.

The performance earned the MSU co-captain All-American honors for the third time in his collegiate career.

After not making the 2004 US Olympic wrestling team, Maynard considered retirement from the sport.

He was then recruited to be a sparring partner for mixed martial arts fighter and former Lightweight UFC champion B.J. Penn.

With his exposure to the new sport, Maynard sought to compete in it.

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

Maynard was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 5, which featured Lightweights exclusively.

He was selected by B.J. Penn to be on his team and was Penn's pick to make it to the finals.

Maynard beat Wayne Weems in the preliminary round.

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

He lost his semifinal matchup in the second round against Nate Diaz due to guillotine choke.

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.

He also has a sister named Misty.

Maynard attended Bonanza High School and Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, before he transferred to St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio for two years.

While at St. Ed's he wrestled for coach Greg Urbas, and excelled in its wrestling program.

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

Maynard seemed to be in control of the fight in round one.

During the second round he picked up Emerson and slammed him to the mat.

Emerson immediately tapped out because of an injury to his ribs.

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.

Since both fighters could not continue he ruled it a "No Contest".

UFC President Dana White commented, "I know one thing, that Maynard was out cold".

Maynard did not agree, and cited the cage-side doctors, who, after testing Maynard, found he had suffered no concussion during the bout.

In his next fight he took on Joe Veres at UFC Fight Night 11 and knocked him out with the first punch he threw, after nine seconds.

It was the second fastest knockout in UFC history (at that time, see UFC 102).

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.

Maynard won a 30–27 unanimous decision on all cards to hand Edgar his first loss.

He used his superior wrestling to control the fight, winning a decision.

Between 2008 and 2011, he competed in a noted rivalry with former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar.

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