Maynard

By FCF Staff

Most people who watched last night’s UFC on FX 4 main event between Gray Maynard and Clay Guida likely knew that the post-fight analysis would be a rather extensive one with plenty of criticisms thrown in. Of course, due to the strategy of Guida, who circled Maynard throughout much of the fight instead of trading with the powerful wrestler, the main event did not turn out to be the kind of fight many observers originally expected.

“It took me like two rounds to realize that ‘alright, I think this guy’s going to do this the whole fight,” Maynard said in the post fight press conference. “Personally I don’t act like that, I mean it’s a fight, but I was pissed off, I’m a human too. I get mad. I’m here to work.”

Although Maynard continued to stalk the seemingly tireless Guida throughout the opening rounds, it wasn’t until later in the fight that his anger about Guida’s gameplan became extremely obvious. Not only was Maynard heard cussing at Guida, but at one point, the angry fighter kept his hands down by his side to let his opponent punch him directly in the face.

“It was a frustrating fight; you saw it in my face. I don’t act like that but I let my emotions, they came out that fight. It’s not perfect, but I thought I won, that’s that,” said Maynard, who hadn’t fought since he was knocked out by Frankie Edgar last October. “I move up, whoever I’ve got next, I’ll be back in the gym this week.”

For Guida’s part, it was clear at the end of the bout that he was confident his strategy had worked, and that he would be awarded the bout. Two of the judge’s saw it otherwise, however, and awarded Maynard the split decision win.

“I think a little bit more movement, and if I had landed a few more strikes, I would have gotten the nod,” Guida said afterwards. “We stuck to our gameplan; we were unpredictable. He’s a big heavy puncher man; guy hits hard. The guy punches holes in walls for practice I’m sure.”

“He was swinging for the fences we weren’t there. He landed three or four, caught me on the cheek one time, I thought we landed enough headkicks,” Guida added. “I’m no mathematician, but four or five probably, I’m no kickboxer. I thought we landed some good jabs; that first punch cut his nose but my face looks a little worse than he does, but ya, maybe he landed a few more strikes, a little bit more movement. I think I stopped all his takedowns, but yeah, I felt good about my performance.”

Dana White clearly did not enjoy the strategy of Guida and his camp, as a quick review of the UFC President’s Twitter feed reveals the following statements:

Ref took a point from Guida for running! This is like the twilight zone!!!! Never thought I would see that

Oops it was a warning! Wish he did that in the 2nd round

Maynard won that easy!!!! Wasn’t that close. HORRIBLE fight!

the other fights were great tonight. The main event sucked

With the win, Maynard improved his record to 11-1 while Guida’s fell to 29-13.