Gray Maynard Moving to Featherweight

Former UFC Lightweight title challenger, Gray Maynard has had a rough few years following his TKO loss to former UFC Lightweight Champion and #2 ranked featherweight, Frankie Edgar, in their third clash.  Since that fight he has been unable to produce a win streak in the lightweight division.  He won a split decision win against Clay Guida, but has taken four straight losses since that win.  Previously, Maynard was on an eight fight win streak before he and Edgar fought to a draw before they fought a third time.

Recently, Maynard has stated that he has been walking around smaller than normal, due to more running and cardio in place of weight training.  He now would like to try his hand at the UFC's featherweight division.  Maynard believes he will have no trouble making the weight despite rumors in the past of him having trouble making weight in the past.  Maynard denies the rumors and has stated that he never had issues making weight in the past.

Maynard will be doing what many fighters have done when they have had trouble in their original weight class.  It has worked for a few other fighters in the past.  BJ Penn moved up to Welterweight after a failed attempt at the UFC Lightweight Championship against Jens Pulver.  He would go on to defeat Matt Hughes to win the title.  He would later move back down to his natural weight class and gain the Lightweight title.  Sean Sherk began his UFC career in the welterweight division, but would find championship success in the UFC's Lightweight Division. Clay Guida moved down to Featherweight and done pretty well for himself there.  Maynard's former nemesis, Frankie Edgar moved to featherweight after being unable to recover his UFC title from Ben Henderson.  Edgar is currently on a five fight win streak and it could be debated that he is the next in line at a title shot against Conor McGregor.

Many other fighters have renewed their careers in different weight classes, such as Demetrius Johnson, Denis Siver, Dominick Cruz and Uriah Faber.  A move to 145 lbs, just might be what Maynard needs to get back in the winners' circle.

TUF 18 Finale Results

Main Card:

Nate Diaz def. Gray Maynard via first-
round TKO
Julianna Pena def. Jessica Rakoczy via
first-round TKO
Chris Holdsworth def. David Grant via
submission (rear-naked choke)
Jessamyn Duke def. Peggy Morgan via
unanimous decision
Raquel Pennington def. Roxanne
Modafferi via unanimous decision

Preliminary Card:

Akira Corassani def. Maximo Blanco
via disqualification (intentional foul)
Tom Niinimaki def. Rani Yaha via split
decision
Jared Rosholt def. Walt Harris via
unanimous decision
Sean Spencer def. Drew Dober via
unanimous decision
Joshua Sampo def. Ryan Benoit via
submission (rear-naked choke)

TUF 18 Finale Weigh-in Results

MAIN CARD:

Nate Diaz (156) vs. Gray Maynard (156)
Julianna Pena (134) vs. Jessica Rakoczy (132)
Davey Grant (135) vs. Chris Holdsworth (136)
Jessamyn Duke (135.5) vs. Peggy Morgan (136)
Roxanne Modafferi (134) vs. Raquel Pennington (135)

PRELIMINARY CARD:

Maximo Blanco (146) vs. Akira Corassani (146)
Tom Niinimaki (145) vs. Rani Yahya (145.5)
Walter Harris (244) vs. Jared Rosholt (240)
Drew Dober (170) vs. Sean Spencer (171)
Ryan Benoit (126) vs. Joshua Sampo (127.5)

Anthony Pettis Injured, Henderson Returns to the Octogon

With Anthony Pettis suffering with an injured knee, Anthony Pettis is being pulled out of his title fight with Josh Thomson at UFC on Fox 9.  That fight is being entirely pulled from that card and will instead be headlined by Demetrius Johnson versus Joseph Benavidez II.  Since that fight was originally scheduled to be the headlining fight for the TUF 18 finale, Nate Diaz's fight with Gray Maynard will be headlining the TUF 18 finale.  Also with Pettis out of his title fight, the UFC has decided to put Thomson in a fight with former UFC Lightweight Champion, Benson Henderson in January 2014. This will be Henderson's first fight since losing the title in late August. 

Former Title Challengers Fight Again

It has been announced that former UFC Lightweight title challengers, Nate Diaz and Gray Maynard will meet again at the Ultimate Fighter Finale.  The two gentlemen have both fought recent Lightweight Champions, Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson.  The two originally fought in the TUF house with Nate Diaz beating him in the semifinals and eventually winning the whole tournament.

They later fought in the UFC as the main event of a UFC Fight Night card with Gray Maynard winning a decision over Diaz.  Maynard is coming off of a loss to UFC Title contender T.J. Grant whikle Diaz is coming off of a loss to Josh Thomson.

What Should Happen Next For Henderson

After Ben Henderson's title loss to new UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis we are left with the question of who Benson Henderson should fight next.  I think that there a few fights that make sense for the UFC to put together.

I think that a fight with current #4 ranked UFC Lightweight Josh Thomson would be the fight that I want to see the most.  Josh Thomson is coming off of a knockout finish over Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox 7 in April.  Josh Thomson has been considered an elite lightweight fighter for many years.  In his UFC return he proved that the bright lights of the UFC place no extra pressure on the MMA vet.  I think that this match up is one that makes the most sense.  Thomson is on his way to the top and knocking on the door of his title shot and a win over Henderson would be a good way to secure a shot.

On the inverse it is also a beneficial match for Henderson as well.  Henderson has demolished most of the UFC's top lightweights upon his entrance into the UFC.  Now that Strikforce has been absorbed  by the UFC there are more options out there for Henderson to face.  If Henderson could defeat Thomson he could cement his elite status by defeating a very respected MMA vet who still has a lot of fight left.  Josh Thomson has many victories in Strikeforce and has challenged for the Strikforce title on three occasions.  Josh Thomson could arguably be considered the second best Lightweight fighter to come out of Strikeforce, following Gilbert Melendez.  If Henderson wins it means that he can still beat the UFC's best-of-the-best in the 155lb weight class.

Another option is the possibility of a Henderson-Cerrone III.  There's nothing that fans love more than a good trilogy.  Both men are coming off a defeat within the last two weeks and need a win.  Like Thomson, Cerrone has been a long time contender in the Zuffa organization.  Donald Cerrone has fought for the WEC Lightweight Championship on three occasions.  His first title fight was with Jamie Varner and his next two were with Benson Henderson.  Cerrone is a one of the UFC's best lighweights and a great match up for Henderson to produce a war.

In October at UFC 166, the king of the Strikforce Lightweight Division, Gilbert Melendez, will be facing the original Ultimate Fighter, Diego Sanchez.  If Ben Henderson were to face the winner of the Melendez-Sanchez it provides UFC fans with two beautiful options: a rematch that allows Gilbert Melendez to avenge his split decision loss to Henderson earlier this year or a fresh match between two of the UFC's biggest stars whose paths have yet to cross.

Other options: Rafael dos Anjos, Gleison Tibau, Gray Maynard and BJ Penn if he chooses to pursuit his fight career again.