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[pdx_boxer503]

Source: UFC's Gray Maynard ready for lightweight champion Frankie Edgar anytime UFC wants | MMAjunkie.com

Gray Maynard got a big pick-me-up this past weekend.

In January, UFC president Dana White said the UFC lightweight wasn't ready for a shot at B.J. Penn's lightweight title.

But with Frankie Edgar's upset victory over Penn at UFC 112, some fans are arguing that Maynard should get the next shot. Other fans, though, have suggested he should jump one last hurdle to a title shot by first fighting fellow contender Kenny Florian. But Maynard feels he's ready now for Edgar now.

After all, he's beaten him once before.

"I would love a shot," Maynard today told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com). "Any time you get that opportunity, a lifelong dream, you've got to jump on it. Of course, going up against Florian is great; (he has a) good name, and I can't complain.

"But obviously I want the belt. I've beat a lot of top guys and [Florian] had a chance – he's had two chances – and I want that chance too."

Maynard (9-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is back at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas after knee surgery and is easing himself into the daily grind of training.

He said he barely got a chance to watch the UFC 112 co-main event because so many friends were texting him during the fight.

While many fans feel Edgar's unanimous decision victory was controversial – with particular uproar over a 50-45 score tallied by one judge for the challenger – Maynard feels the decision was just.

"It was close, of course," Maynard said. "If you're going for Penn, you could make the argument that he won. If you're going for Edgar, you could make the argument he won. But all that counts is the judges.

"I think [Edgar] did enough to win. My hat's off to him."

In January 2007, Maynard served on Penn's team as a cast member on "The Ultimate Fighter 5" and one year prior trained with the former champion in Hilo, Hawaii, when he was still deciding whether to be a fulltime mixed martial artist.

Like most fighters, he has a great deal of respect for Penn. But he never thought Penn was unbeatable.

"I was getting tired of hearing about how [Penn is] unstoppable," Maynard said. "You can't really argue because he's looked good in his last two (fights). But styles make fights. I don't think Kenny (Florian) had the tools, and I don't think Diego (Sanchez) did as well.

"It just got old hearing he's going up a weight (class) once he wins, and there's still a bunch of hungry guys chomping at the bit. You've got Tyson (Griffin), you've got me, and you've got (Kenny) Florian. The list goes on and on. [Penn] didn't clear out the weight (division)."

Since his turn on "TUF 5," Maynard is undefeated in seven consecutive octagon victories, which included a win over Edgar at UFC Fight Night 13 in April 2008.

White put him on the backburner shortly after his sixth consecutive decision victory, which came against Nate Diaz at UFC Fight Night 20, and booked Edgar vs. Penn for UFC 112.

Maynard called out the winner of a UFC Fight Night 21 headliner between Florian and former PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi just days before the March 31 event. He told MMAjunkie.com that he wanted to fight name opponents while he waited for a title opportunity.

"The last three or four (fights) I've had tough ones, but they're just not that name," Maynard said then. "It's like, 'Ah well, he beat Nate (Diaz), but he was supposed to. He beat (Rich) Clementi, but he was supposed to.'"

Turns out, the wait might not be as long as expected.

"I was glad to have some proof (that Penn is unbeatable)," Maynard said today. "Just like, 'Look, there's a lot of guys who can compete.' Give us the chance. Give me the chance."

Maynard previously targeted a July return but said this past weekend's events changed everything.

"If I get a chance to go for the belt, I don't care when it is," he said. "I'll keep training and whenever they tell me, that's fine."

He's glad he stayed patient.

"Stuff changes quickly, and that's why you have to wait your turn," Maynard said. "Of course, I wanted a chance this whole time, but it's a crazy game, and that's fine.

"That's why you've got to love it because this is a crazy fight game, and anything can happen at any time."

[grambino]

I can't stand Maynard

[NAL987]

First thing I want to say that randomly popped in my mind the other day..
Why didn't BJ go for a takedown in the fight!?.. not once did he try.

I wonder what would've happened if Maynard would've fought BJ that night.. would it of actually ended before the 5th round? He's got harder punches and argueably better takedowns than Frankie, just not better foot work than Frankie.

But its most likely gonna be Penn/Edgar Rematch VS. Florian/Maynard.

[NAL987]

Oh and say that Maynard eventually does win the belt...

Maynard = Sherk?

[KevoOnTheRadio]

He wasn't ready for a title shot in January. He hasn't fought since, but is now ready for a title shot? I think B.J. should get a rematch, have Maynard fight Kenflo for #1 contender.

[iced]

maynard would beat him again imo. i was at the fight back when they fought in denver, maynard dominated him with his wrestling. i think he would prob have the same outcome going into the fight with similar confidence.

[ckauffman28]

hope kenflo knocks him out

[WileyThaOne]

Originally Posted by grambino

I can't stand Maynard

same here for some reason when he was on the show i liked him but not now....

[MetallicKnight3X]

Maynard doesnt deserve it he cant finish a fight to save his life.. he barely beat Diaz and I thought Diaz won and I HATE the Diaz brothers.. The only reason he be Huerta was cuz of his takedowns.. standing Huerta would teed off on him.. how bout ya beat someone in decisive fashion and they may think about it.. its gonna be a re match for penn.. him and Kenflo can fight for it and more then likely Grey gets the takedown and Kenny gets the submission.. good night Maynard.

[raptors08]

gray frankie would suck. two wrestleboxers shuffling side to side and bobbing their heads and not landing anything significant but having blind moron judges thinking that all the movement=activity and control. it would be a tie.

edgar didnt win the penn fight anyone with eyes and a brain knows he lost. penn actually boxed and connected consistently instead of dancing around like a jackass. penn deserves the rematch because he won the first fight.