Coming into UFC 118, it was hard to know how the match up between Kenny Florian and Gray Maynard might go down. Florian had the Muay Thai skills; Maynard, the boxing. Maynard had the wrestling, whereas Florian was a black belt level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner. The apparentness closeness of the upcoming battle made some look at the extraneous variables. In other words, would the Boston hometown crowd give Florian the boost he needed to get another title shot?
For about one minute and 15 seconds, both fighters simply felt each other out. Eventually, Florian attempted a high kick that was blocked and followed that up with a front kick to the body that wasn't. Almost a full minute later, Florian landed two quick low kicks with his front leg. Maynard landed a left. Upon a clinch following some missed strikes, Florian hit Maynard with multiple right hands that seemed to take his opponent's balance away for a moment. Maynard then landed a punch sandwiched by some pitter patter Florian strikes and shot in for the takedown. Though they struggled for several moments, Maynard did eventually get Florian to the canvas. Florian achieved full guard with his head pressed against the cage. Maynard landed a few mild shots there before the bell.
That was a very close and rather uneventful round. Florian controlled the ring most of the round and hit home with the better shots on his feet, even if good shots were rare. Maynard got the takedown.
Florian landed a mild jab almost a minute into the second round. Once again, the round went long periods in the initial stages without a lot of action. Florian's flicking out jabs that are missing. Maynard then connected with a solid punch. Florian returned fire with a body kick. Another body kick several moments later was landed by Florian. Maynard then connected with a solid right hand, then a left. Then he connected with a nice uppercut. And all of that was followed by Maynard shooting in and gaining another takedown. Florian got right back up only to be put on his back again soon after. Maynard then took side control.
Florian is cut over his left eye from something that happened while they were on their feet.
Maynard is really beginning to hit home with some ground and pound. Florian has a full, open guard. Then came the bell.
Maynard definitely won round two. The first round was a toss up (though Joe Rogan is indicating he believes that Maynard won the stanza). For my money, the third round could be- repeat, could be- the deciding stanza.
Florian connected with a right hand early in the third stanza. Then another landed to the body. With his left eye swollen, he attempted a high kick that got blocked but connected with a right hand and followed that up with a left jab. Maynard landed a right hand. Soon after, he shot in again and achieved the takedown. For a while ground and pound ensued, before Florian got to his feet, was put back down, and then attempted two omoplatas to no avail.
Then came the bell.
Gray Maynard defeats Kenny Florian by unanimous decision. It wasn't a great fight, but it was an effective one for Maynard.
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