A year after winning 'TUF 22,' TUF 24 Finale's Ryan Hall ready to show what he's worked on

LAS VEGAS – It’s been nearly a year since grappling ace Ryan Hall stuck to Artem Lobov like glue for three rounds en route to winning Season 22 of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series.

After beating Lobov by unanimous decision in the “TUF 22” tourney final in December 2015, a subsequent matchup fell apart due to opponent Alex White’s injury, and Hall now returns from a yearlong layoff.

Normally such a layoff would frustrate a fighter, especially if he wasn’t injured or tending to other issues. Hall (5-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), however, said he simply spent the time training, improving and waiting for the phone to ring. It finally did for a featherweight showdown with Gray Maynard (12-5-1 MMA, 10-5-1 UFC) on Saturday at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale, and Hall is eager to display the advances in his skill set from the past 12 months.

“I didn’t get to compete as much as maybe I would have liked, but I really tried to make my best use of the time off,” Hall told MMAjunkie. “It really wasn’t off, just back to training because that’s really all I do. I really feel this has been a great opportunity to make strides, and I’m a different fighter than I was in December, and I look forward to showing that.

“All I care about is just improving as best I can,” he continued. “Fighting is just an opportunity to stress test everything. Of course when you get the opportunity to do that it’s fantastic. I fought four times last year within the span of four months. That was a lot of fun. It is what it is. I would be happy whether I was competing or not.”

The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale takes place at The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The card, including Hall vs. Maynard, airs on FS1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

For Hall, fighting is a litmus test to discover where he’s made gains. Competing against a 17-fight veteran of the promotion such as Maynard in – just Hall’s second UFC appearance – is a unique opportunity, though, and one he plans to take advantage of.

At 37 Maynard’s best days might be behind him, but “The Bully” is still a former two-time UFC title challenger and has the wrestling credentials to potentially neutralize Hall’s style. Hall said he’s aware of that, but he admitted it was also one of the reasons he jumped at the offer to fight him.

“I remember when I was called (for the fight), usually I send a text to my coaches and say, ‘Hey guys, what do you think?’ We skipped that this time and said, ‘Yup, I’ll take the fight.'” Hall said. “I didn’t get into this sport to fight bums. I got in to be in against the best because I did it in jiu-jitsu, and that’s how you learn, how you grow. And Gray represents a challenge in that. I’m excited to fight him. (He’s a) tough guy (with a) very distinguished career, and I looking forward for the chance to test myself against someone of that caliber.”

Although Maynard has a handful of losses on his resume, largely against big names such as Frankie Edgar and Nate Diaz, one thing that stands out is the fact he’s never been submitted in his more than 10-year career. Hall would seem have as good a chance as anyone to break that streak, but he said a specific finish is not part of his approach. Hall just wants to win, and that means doing it by any means necessary.

“You’ll see my best,” he said. “I don’t focus on the outcome; I have the tools to beat anybody. But a fight is a fight, and the better fighter doesn’t win. The guy who fights better wins, and I look forward to doing my best to pull that off.”

For more on The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.