Bangor, Maine played host to a pair of lightweights looking to rise above the middle of the pack on Saturday night, as UFC Fight Night 47’s co-main event saw Ross Pearson stop Gray Maynard in the second round.
It was an interesting scrap, one that provided plenty in the way of learning experience for anyone watching.
What We’ll Remember About This Fight
That it might well have been Gray Maynard’s swan song in the UFC. As much as the gritty wrestler may not want to accept it, he’s been stopped violently in three of his last four bouts and isn’t getting any younger.
It’s not a lock, but one would have to think there isn’t much reason for his career to continue at this point.
What We Learned About Ross Pearson
Pearson showed what he can do when he puts his hands on a man’s chin, though perhaps that’s nothing new. The Sunderland, England native has always been a nasty bit of business on the feet and seems to be continuously adding new wrinkles there.
He also showed that he can give up a round and maintain composure if it means sticking to a plan and playing the long game on the way to victory, which is a trait that will serve him well as he climbs the ladder at 155.
What We Learned About Gray Maynard
Maynard’s loss showed that his downward trend is no coincidence, and it’s no joke. He’s getting stopped in stomach-turning fashion with regularity now, and that’s usually a sign that it’s time to hang up the gloves.
He can still mat-wrestle, but even his takedowns are less explosive and technical than they once were, replaced by an alarming lethargy and a reliance on simply being too big to be stopped.
There really isn’t a reason for him to keep going at this point.
What’s Next for Pearson
It’s unlikely the Brit will get anyone outside of the top 10 after he was ruthlessly hosed in his decision loss to Diego Sanchez and then dismantled Maynard.
A bout with resurgent Michael Johnson could click, as could one with veteran Josh Thomson.
What’s Next for Maynard
Maynard’s always been stubborn, so he may not be keen to go out on a loss.
If the UFC will have him one more time it’s easy to envision him making the walk again, perhaps against his opponent from the cancelled UFC 176, Fabricio Camoes.
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