Bradley Gray Maynard (born May 9, 1979) is an American amateur wrestler and professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. He currently competes as an MMA fighter in the UFC lightweight division. He remains undefeated in his MMA career, and has recorded one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history. He is the only fighter to hold a win over UFC lightweight standout Frank Edgar.

Bio

Maynard attended St. Edwards High School in Lakewood, OH and excelled in its wrestling program.

Maynard wrestled alongside former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans at Michigan State University. Maynard's final season was in 2003, a year in which he finished seventh at the NCAA Wrestling Championships at 157 pounds. The performance earned the MSU co-captain All-American honors for the third time in his collegiate career. Upon his graduation, Maynard ranked 11th all-time in MSU history with 106 career wins and seventh with 26 falls.

After failing to earn a berth on the 2004 US Olympic wrestling team, Maynard considered retirement when he was recruited to be a sparring partner for mixed martial arts fighter and Current Lightweight UFC champion B.J.Penn. With his exposure to the new sport, Maynard sought to compete in the sport, and with his wrestling connections, he eventually became a student and training partner of UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, who also has a background in amateur wrestling.

Maynard appeared on the “Shumacher Family” episode of Supernanny teaching a 7-year-old son about MMA at Randy Couture’s gym to release his anger on the mats instead of his mother.

The Ultimate Fighter

Maynard was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 5, which featured lightweights exclusively. He was selected by B.J. Penn 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 Nathan Diaz due to guillotine choke.

At the The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale, Maynard fought Rob Emerson in a controversial fight. Maynard seemed to be in control of the fight in round one. 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". UFC President Dana White commented, "I know one thing, that Maynard was out cold". Maynard did not agree claiming that, because the ring-side doctors found he suffered no concussion during the bout, he had never lost consciousness in the fight.

UFC

In his next fight he took on Joe Veres at UFC Fight Night 11 and knocked him out with the first punch 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 13, he faced Frank Edgar and won a 30–27 unanimous decision on all cards. He used his superior wrestling and pushed the pace to take the fight to the previously undefeated Edgar, winning a decision.

He also worked as an assistant wrestling coach for Forrest Griffen as part of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest.

Gray earned a unanimous decision over Rich Clementi in UFC 90. In his fight, Gray once again showed his superior wrestling as he controlled Clementi on the ground for 3 rounds. He did however appear notably disappointed during his post fight interview that he was unable to finish the fight.

Gray's most recent fight was against UFC lightweight standout Jim Miller, winning by unanimous decision, 30–27 on all cards. Maynard kept the fight on the feet inversing his wrestling skills with excellent takedown defense, and displayed solid standup skills, particularly looping bodyshot combos.