Well, that happened.
Clay Guida bounced around for 25 minutes, Gray Maynard slowly slogged from a one to a ten on the Frustration Scale, and the entire state of New Jersey switched allegiances mid-fight at the inexplicable headlining attraction of UFC on FX 4.
Maynard eventually won, taking a split decision seemingly on principle alone, much to the relief of a majority of the MMA world. But that didn’t stop the outpouring of criticism that emerged from nearly everyone with a voice. From Daniel Cormier to Dana White, Ben Askren to Joe Rogan, it seemed like the entire community had something to say about what escalated into a remarkably bizarre Friday night.
Wtf is going on here
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 23, 2012
This is crazy. Is he winning the rounds? I don’t know what’s happening here seriously frustrating
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 23, 2012
“@TDiesel45: @dc_mma same bullshit as Diaz vs Condit” even worse man. Are they training that there man
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 23, 2012
Congrats @GrayMaynard my brother 🙂
— Jose ‘Scarface’ Aldo (@josealdojunior) June 23, 2012
I thought it was impossible for this fight to suck. I WAS WRONG!!!!!!
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 23, 2012
First time I have ever seen Guida get boo’d out of the building. I am booing too!!
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 23, 2012
Ref took a point from Guida for running! This is like the twilight zone!!!! Never thought I would see that
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 23, 2012
Maynard won that easy!!!! Wasn’t that close. HORRIBLE fight!
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 23, 2012
Gray Maynard is my new hero, just like a video game. #fb
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) June 23, 2012
Gray Maynard is the long lost Diaz brother. HE CAME TO FIGHT!
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) June 23, 2012
Man Guida is hard to watch, kudos to @GrayMaynard putting up with that! Good job buddy, way to bring back the W
— Luke Rockhold (@rockholdMMA) June 23, 2012
I think the UFC should shave Clay Guida’s head as punishment for his performance tonight! RT if you agree!
— Siyar Bahadurzada (@SiyarTheGreat) June 23, 2012
If there were yellow cards in UFC like they used to have in PRIDE, Clay Guida would be paying to fight by now.
— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) June 23, 2012
Ugh… seriously? Someone nail his feet to the canvas and make him fight.
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) June 23, 2012
That was the right decision. Greg Jackson’s gameplans are going to kill this sport.
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) June 23, 2012
I’m a big fan of both these guys! @GrayMaynard & @clayguida -What a fight!!! @danawhite @ufc
— Jake Ellenberger (@EllenbergerMMA) June 23, 2012
TRASH decision!!!!My teammate @clayguida WON!!! He beat Gray Maynard!!!!! What an amazing execution of a great @JacksonsMMA game plan!
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) June 23, 2012
Wow what a back fire of a game plain
— Melvin Guillard (@Young__Assassin) June 23, 2012
I don’t know if Guida is winning the fight but he damn sure is winning the dance battle!#yougotserved
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) June 23, 2012
I take great comfort knowing that tomorrow night’s fight with Wanderlei Silva vs Rich Franklin will be at least 100 times more exciting.
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) June 23, 2012
Why are people surprised at guida fighting this way? He’s always like this
— Daniel Downes (@dannyboydownes) June 23, 2012
Guida started using footwork very well in his fight w/ Maynard because he was striking & moving. By the end it was only moving, no striking.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) June 23, 2012
Guida couldn’t go toe to toe w/ Gray. That would’ve been stupid & he prob would’ve got ko’ed. His gameplan was still excellent.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) June 23, 2012
They should take points for holding guys down and running! Let’s make fights exciting not boring @ufc
— Leonard Garcia (@badboygarcia) June 23, 2012
Maynard looks frustrated, but I think anyone would be with Guida’s unorthodox-ness
— Patrick Healy (@BamBamHealy) June 23, 2012
Judges finally got one right!
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) June 23, 2012
Nice win @GrayMaynard frustrating, got the job done
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) June 23, 2012
@clayguida I think you totally Stole my fight hair style! #SwaggerJack
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) June 23, 2012
Jackson camp ruining mma for me. Stand and fight.
— David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) June 23, 2012
Congrats @GrayMaynard ! Close fight, my favorite part was the arguing lol
— Amir Sadollah (@amirMMA) June 23, 2012