About

Gray Maynard was born in Phoenix Arizona on May 9, 1979. Gray attended two years of high school in Las Vegas NV and completed High School at St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio. Gray was a varsity letterman in wrestling during all four years of high school. Gray was national champion his senior year, earning All-State and All-American honors while leading his team to an undefeated season and a number one ranking in the nation.

Gray went on to wrestle for Michigan State from 1999-2003 and was a three-time All American. Gray also wrestled alongside The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner, Rashad Evans while wrestling for Michigan State. After graduating Gray was contacted by BJ Penn who was in preparation for a fight. BJ was looking for someone with Gray’s abilities to help him improve his wrestling game. Gray was happy to work with BJ and this allowed Gray to get his first taste of mixed martial arts. After working with Penn, Gray moved back to Las Vegas and worked as a real estate agent for two years. Gray was in and out of training in mixed martial arts until Randy Couture opened a local training facility. Gray joined Team Couture immediately and now trains full time.

Gray trains hard and pushes himself along with others. Gray’s nickname “The Bully” arrived because of his bull terrier, Hank. Hank harasses any other dog that comes in his path. The name stuck because of Gray’s work ethic and aggressiveness in the practice room and competition.

Maynard was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 5, which featured lightweights exclusively. He was B.J. Penn’s first pick 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.

At The Ultimate Fighter 5 finale, Maynard fought Rob Emerson in a controversial fight. 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 claimed 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, thus because both fighters could not continue he ruled it a “No Contest”.

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. Next Maynard won a unanimous Decision over Dennis Siver at UFC Fight Night 12 earning scores of 29–28, 29–28, and 30–27. At UFC Fight Night 13, he faced lightweight standout Frank Edgar and won a 30–27 unanimous decision on all cards to hand Edgar his first (and only) loss to date. He used his superior wrestling to control the fight, winning a decision.

Maynard also worked as an assistant wrestling coach for Forrest Griffin as part of The Ultimate Fighter 7: Team Griffin vs Team Rampage.

Gray earned a unanimous decision over Rich Clementi in UFC 90. In his fight, Maynard once again showed his superior wrestling as he controlled Clementi on the ground for 3 rounds.

At UFC 96, against lightweight Jim Miller, Gray won by unanimous decision once again, with all three judges scoring the bout 30–27. Maynard kept the fight on the feet inversing his wrestling skills with excellent takedown defense, and displayed solid standup skills, particularly looping bodyshot combos.

Maynard won against Roger Huerta via split decision at UFC Fight NIght 19.  Late in the third round Gray had Huerta in a visibly deep Kimura, though his opponent refused to submit.

Maynard defeated Nat Diaz via split decision at UFC 20.