Gray Maynard wants to make featherweight statement, but 155-pound bouts also will do

Gray Maynard wants to stay active. So, in order to do that, he’s willing to circulate between two weight classes.

Maynard (13-6-1 MMA, 11-6-1 UFC) had some success as a UFC lightweight, having twice fought for the title in memorable back-to-back encounters with then-champ Frankie Edgar. From 2013 to 2015, though, things didn’t go so well for Maynard, who went on a four-fight skid in the 155-pound division.

But then a move to featherweight breathed new life into Maynard’s UFC career. Having gone 2-1 since the move, the former title challenger was last seen easily getting past an opponent 12 years his junior in Teruto Ishihara at the TUF 25 Finale.

Moving forward, Maynard still wants to make a run for the top at featherweight. But, if competing at 155 pounds is what it takes to get booked, then that’s just fine by him.

“(At) 145, I really want to make a statement,” Maynard recently told MMAjunkie Radio. “I want to get to the top names. (At) 155, I believe I could do that too. But I’m down at (145), and it’s pretty easy to make. But if I’ve got to go up to get a fight, I’ll do it if that’s what it takes.”

Maynard hasn’t been able to get more than two fights in the same year since 2008. But, despite realistically knowing that life sometimes gets in the way, he’s hoping 2018 will bring three octagon showings.

In order for that to happen, Maynard wants to start early: preferably in January, before the February arrival of his second child. As for whom he’d like that meeting to involve?

“It doesn’t really matter,” Maynard said. “Just trying to get back on track to get to the top names. Whoever it is, let’s do it.”

Another way to increase octagon activity, as guys like Alex Oliveira and Marlon Vera would know, is being willing to step in on short-notice. But for some, especially veterans, there comes a time when taking these risky calls simply doesn’t pay off.

So which one is it for the 38-year-old Maynard?

“It interests me,” Maynard said. “I’m at that point where my career has got to make sense. And it does kind of interest me if it’s a good name. I pretty much stay in the gym year-round. So I’d do that, yeah.”

To hear more from Maynard, check out the video above.

And for more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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