Exclusive Interview with “The Bully” Gray Maynard

Recently I was fortunate enough to get to ask "Ultimate Fighter 5" standout Gray Maynard a few questions. He is coming off a huge win over light weight stand out Frank Edgar at Ultimate Fight Night 13 on April 2.

Edgar who was formerly undefeated was the biggest test of Gray’s career. Gray shined in his performance, out pointing Edgar and winning a three round decision. Being undefeated himself, he is one of the many rising stars with a great future ahead in the sport. Training with the likes of Randy Couture and BJ Penn he has made his presence known and seems unstoppable at the moment.

See what he had to say in this short interview with RedSweat.com.

RedSweat: Xtreme Couture if full of beasts, who gives you the most problems when you roll?

Gray: Mike Pyle, because of his length, experience and jiu-jitsu

RedSweat: Who do you think is going to win the upcoming Serra vs St. Pierre fight and why?

Gray: On paper St. Pierre should win, but this is MMA so anything can happen

RedSweat: In your opinion who is the #1 fighter in the lightweight division?

Gray: BJ Penn

RedSweat: What gets you motivated before a fight?

Gray: My 8 week training camp before the fight. i know all the work i put into it, there is no reason I shouldn’t win

RedSweat: If you were offered a title shot, but it was against BJ, would you take it? explain.

Gray: Am I ready for a title shot, No. would I take a title shot, Yes. You have to jump on that opportunity any chance you get. Win or lose it is only going to make you a better fighter.

RedSweat: How did you feel you performed in your last fight with Edgar and were you happy with your performance?

Gray: I would have liked to attack him more on our feet. I broke my hand and had some problem with my right eye throughout the fight so I had to be a little more cautious than usual.

RedSweat: In your opinion who is the hardest hitting mixed martial artist?

Gray: I think Dan Henderson, Wanderlei Silva, and Fedor are some of the most hardest hitting. But that is different than being someone like Anderson Silva or Chuck Liddell who are considered knockout artist because they are precise with their striking

RedSweat: Looking back at the infamous slam, do you think that a ref should be able to change a call that he has already made?

Gray: The ref didn’t change his call. The athletic commission stepped in and changed the call. The ref thought I should have won.

RedSweat: Who is the best pound for pound fighter in your eyes?

Gray: Anderson Silva

RedSweat: Where do you plan to be in 5 years involving mma?

Gray: Hopefully training to fight all the best guys in the world

Interview courtesy of Jason Allen.