Diaz vs Maynard @ FN 20

A lightweight bout between Gray Maynard (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and Nate Diaz (11-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC), two of the top fighters to come out of the fifth season of "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series, is set for UFC Fight Night 20's main event in January.

Diaz's camp announced the bout via its official Web site, GracieFighter.com, and MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has confirmed Maynard will likely earn a future title shot if victorious at the show.

Although not officially announced, UFC Fight Night 20 takes place Jan. 11 in Fairfax, Va.



http://mmajunkie.com/news/16554/nate-diaz-vs-gray-maynard-set-for-ufc-fight-night-20-main-event.mma

---

This looks like an easy W for Maynard. Diaz has no answer for wrestlers and Maynard hasn't been hurt in a looooong time.

Maynard is getting awfully close to a title shot if he gets this win.

Yeah pretty easy fight for Maynard

If Stevenson had a hard time with Joe's wrestling and control then I don't see him offering anything for Maynard. Nate better hope Maynard forgets he is a wrestler like in the Huerta fight.

Bad mismatch here. A cushioned path to the title set for Maynard.

Maynard went through Edgar, Huerta, Miller, Clementi, and possible Diaz. That's not too shabby. You never know he may get Stevenson, Guida, Florian, Sherk,or the loser of Penn/Sanchez.

Ya he has had a tough path so far but this is an easy W here. I imagine he is the next challenger after Sanchez.

The way BJ takes time off I wouldn't be surprised if Edgar(Pellegrino in Dec) & Maynard(Diaz in Jan) both fight twice before either gets a shot.

What BJ really wants a third shot at GSP, and the fastest way to do that is put three or four title defenses between him and his last drubbing at the hands of Rush. Dana seems to have made that clear in not so many words. BJ also understands he isn't getting younger and the competition is only getting better. He needs to establish his legacy.

BJ will fight soon again after Sanchez I predict.

Didn't Diaz sub Maynard on the show or am i misremembering? That counts in my book. Im gonna go out on a limb here and take Diaz to pull it out somehow.

Great point. I forgot about that. Maynard escaped about 10 sub attempts in round one while GnPing the crap out of Nate. Then in round 2 he got caught and tapped too quickly. Gray has improved 10 fold after 7 fights and 2 years at Xtreme. He only had 2 fights going into TUF so I'm sure his sub defense is enough to avoid Diaz's attempts.

Interesting matchup. Maynard can take him down and all that but Nate is dangerous from his back. I think Maynard takes it by decision though because of takedowns.

yeah but Nate is also dangerous while being taken down. Melvin Guillard got caught in that freakish guillotine while Nate had some kind of half rubber guard action going on to keep him in place. I predict this one will stay standing for most of the first round while they feel each other out and then Maynard will go for the low shoot to avoid a guillotine.

I know alot of people want to write Diaz off here because of what Maynard has been doing in his career, but lets not forget just how good Diaz is on the ground here. Especially off his back he can lock in submissions from almost any angle. I think it will be a great fight, and if Maynard pulls a win out of it he should get a title shot.

maynard via bully beat down

This fight doesn't even make sense, Maynard is undefeated and Diaz just bounced back from back to back losses. Maynard should be rematching Edgar or fighting Tyson for a title shot. I would like to see Diaz fight someone like Effrian.

Nate's a live dog here. def not the favorite considering his recent losses, but in both those fights(especially the guida fight) he didn't take alot of damage. Was controlled more then anything. And Maynard is not much for finishing fights, while diaz is rarely finished early.
Maynard might be the fav, especially if it goes the difference, but diaz is the more likely one to end it early.

OUSOONERSOU wrote:

This fight doesn't even make sense, Maynard is undefeated and Diaz just bounced back from back to back losses. Maynard should be rematching Edgar or fighting Tyson for a title shot. I would like to see Diaz fight someone like Effrian.

What he said^^^

Nate will sub him again just you all watch.. makes me laugh to see most call this an easy fight for maynard

tolivendiewithLA wrote:

OUSOONERSOU wrote:

This fight doesn't even make sense, Maynard is undefeated and Diaz just bounced back from back to back losses. Maynard should be rematching Edgar or fighting Tyson for a title shot. I would like to see Diaz fight someone like Effrian.

What he said^^^

It makes sense because it gives Maynard another 'name' on his resume and matches him up with an exciting fighter. We've all seen how much trouble Maynard has finishing. Diaz brings the fight every time.