In November 2008, Florian told Fighters.com, “I would love to [fight lightweights from Japan].  You know, there are so many great lightweights out there.  There’s a ton in the UFC already; so, it’s not like it’s not competitive right now.  But definitely, I’m always looking for new and exciting fighters to compete against; and, definitely there’s a lot over in Japan, and I’d love to be able to compete.  I just want to keep competing against the best and whether they’re in Japan or in the United States, then that’s great.”

But, the UFC has chosen to build lightweight talent domestically and from within the organization rather than sign already established fighters from abroad.  Fifth-ranked “Bully” Gray Maynard (9-0) and sixth-ranked “The Answer” Frank Edgar (11-1) are the best examples of American fighters who have come to prominence with the UFC.

But, earlier this month the UFC brought some fresh blood and established foreign talent to the division with the signing of Gomi.  It’s an interesting choice for the UFC because, though Gomi is an established name as the long-running PRIDE champion, he’s suffered losses to Sergei Goliaev (9-6) at Sengoku in November 2008 and Satoru Kitaoka (24-9-7) at Sengoku in January 2009.  And, Gomi had even hinted recently that he was considering retiring from fighting to focus on surfing.

But, Wednesday Florian’s brother and head coach, Keith, told MMA Weekly, “I think Gomi would be a great fight for Kenny. He’s one of those people who was No. 1 in the world for a long time, and I think that would be a great fight for us.”

After losing his second title shot to Fighters.com and UFC Lightweight Champion “Prodigy” BJ Penn (15-5-1) at UFC 101 in Philadelphia August 8, Florian is focused on cementing his legacy.  Bagging a Gomi is more for historical posterity than contemporary competition.

Florian could also matchup versus Maynard, and Keith told MMA Weekly, “I think Gray Maynard would be a great fight with Kenny’s new wrestling, and we can still expose those tools that Firas [Zihabi] has, he has Olympic level wrestlers, and we could form a really nice strategy against him.”

It seems Maynard is being skipped over for a title shot again by UFC President Dana White in favor of Edgar.

In an interview with MMA Fighting, White named sixth-ranked “The Answer” Frank Edgar (11-1) as Penn’s likely next opponent at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi April 10.

Edgar’s one loss is to Maynard at UFC Fight Night 13 in April 2008, while Maynard remained undefeated with a split decision victory over Nate Diaz (10-6) at UFC Fight Night 20 in Fairfax, Virginia Monday night.

Edgar is coming off a stoppage victory over H.I.T. Squad’s Matt Veach (8-1) at SpikeTV’s The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale in Las Vegas December 5.

Maynard has been Penn’s top UFC challenger since Penn stopped seventh-ranked “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (12-4) at UFC 101 in Philadelpia August 8, but was skipped over in favor of ninth-ranked “Nightmare” Diego Sanchez (21-3) at UFC 107 in Memphis December 12.

Since Penn stopped Florian, Maynard has won decisions over Diaz and “El Matador” Roger Huerta (20-3-1) at UFC Fight Night 19 in Oklahoma City September 16.

Diaz won the original exhibition match and eventually the TUF 5 championship.  But, Maynard has bullied ahead of Diaz since TUF 5, with big decision victories of UFC contenders sixth-ranked “The Answer” Frank Edgar (11-1) and “El Matador” Roger Huerta (20-3-1).

With vengeance tonight versus Diaz, Maynard will have proven himself as the top contender in the UFC’s 155-pound division and will deserve a title fight versus Fighters.com and UFC Lightweight Champion “Prodigy” BJ Penn (15-5-1).

In fact, Maynard deserved the title shot over Penn’s last challenger ninth-ranked “Nightmare” Diego Sanchez (21-3).  Penn stopped Sanchez in the fourth round at UFC 107 in Memphis December 12.  It was never a competitive contest, primarily because Sanchez hadn’t put in the work in the division to earn the fight.

But, Fighters.com worries recent UFC signee “Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (28-6) might take Maynard’s shot even if Maynard wins versus Diaz for the same reason Sanchez did.  Gomi is a bigger name, despite his recent disappointing performances.

Gomi is the type of fighter UFC President Dana White would crack jokes about if Gomi wasn’t now a UFC fighter.  Since reigning as PRIDE lightweight champion, Gomi’s focus on fighting has been lax.  He’s lost consecutive fights to Sergei Goliaev (9-6) at Sengoku in November 2008 and Satoru Kitaoka (24-9-7) at Sengoku in January 2009 and has expressed desires to spend the rest of his years surfing rather than fighting.  He’s evidently changed his mine.  Even as PRIDE champion, he dodged losing his title in non-title losses to “Maximus” Marcus Aurélio (18-7) in 2006 and Nick Diaz (20-8) in 2007.  (The Diaz loss was later ruled a no contest by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after Diaz tested positive for marijuana.)  And, as PRIDE champion, his matchups followed the Japanese pattern of one legitimate contender, followed by one tomato can, and so on.  What’s disappointing about Gomi is that his losses to Aurélio and Goliaev were supposed to be his tomato can fights.

Fighters.com’s point is that, while Maynard has earned a title shot, Gomi should be required to earn a fight versus Penn.  Sanchez didn’t earn his title challenge and the result was an obviously unprepared Sanchez versus a particularly lethatl Penn.

Fighters.com January Lightweight Rankings

1. “Prodigy” BJ Penn (15-5-1)

2. “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (17-4)

3. Eddie Alvarez (16-2)

4. “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (18-7)

5. “Bully” Gray Maynard (8-0)

6. “The Answer” Frank Edgar (11-1)

7. “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (12-4)

8. “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2)

9.  “Nightmare” Diego Sanchez (21-3)

10. “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-4-1)

After winning The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5, Nate ripped off four straight wins inside the Octagon until being matched up against “The Carpenter” Clay Guida (25-11) at UFC 94 where he lost a split decision. Then he faced “Daddy”Joe Stevenson (31-9) at TUF 9 finale, losing by way of unanimous decision. He got back to his winning ways at Fight Night 19 submitting “The Young Assassin” Melvin Guillard (22-8-2).

 He now faces Maynard for the second time. They faced off on TUF 5 in the semi-finals when Diaz beat Gray with a guillotine choke and sent him packing while he moved on and took the title as The Next Ultimate Fighter as well as a six figure contract.

Gray has done nothing since that loss but string together win after win after win. He has six straight wins inside the Octagon including tough victories against Jim Miller (16-2), “El Matador” Roger Huerta (20-3-1) and fourth-ranked ”The Answer” Frank Edgar (11-1). He is the only one to have beaten the very tough Edgar in the UFC’s lightweight division thus far. We have seen much improved striking from Gray since his stint on TUF where he was more of a lay and pray wrestler. Granted all but one of his wins inside the Octagon have been via decision but you can’t argue with the progress he has made.

After leaving the TUF house Gray went to Xtreme Couture to train with some of the best in the fight business. Since then we have seen him use head movement in the striking game as well as decent footwork. This may not seem like a big deal but for a guy who could not do much but take you down and hold you there on The Ultimate Fighter, this is a huge step in becoming a top contender.

The fight against Diaz will prove to be a very tough test for Gray. Both Diaz brothers have a very odd striking style that consists of throwing “punches in bunches”. Many of these strikes are not the type that will knock out an opponent but they seem to throw off the rhythm of even the best striker. This is where his footwork, head movement and new found counter strikes will come into play. He may be able to push use those to rock Diaz. My money would be on Gray trying to get in and out of exchanges landing the harder blows and working his way to a decision victory, however he did get submitted the last time they fought.

Nate is a very legitimate black belt training under Cesar Gracie. He uses his jiu jitsu very well in the cage and has frustrated many wrestlers by throwing up submission attempt after submission attempt. Gray may want to keep this fight standing in order to stay clear of those submissions. If he doesn’t then we will find out just how far along he has come with his submission defense.

Nate trains with another great wrestler in Fighters.com second- ranked welterweight and Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields (24-4-1). I am sure Nate is working hard with Jake, one of the classiest guys in the sport, on his take downs and take down defense.

Gray is a stronger fighter than Nate and I see it being next to impossible for Nate to take Gray down unless he decides to pull guard and drag him down into the depths that is Gracie jiu jitsu.

Will we see the wrestler out strike the submission expert? Maybe we will see them stand and trade for the entire 15 minutes since they both have dangerous ground games, albeit worlds apart. No matter how the fight ends we will get answers to the questions about both of these fighters and one just might be working his way towards a title shot or a showdown with newly acquired fighter “Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (28-6).

This a fight that could very well showcase each discipline a true mixed martial artist studies each and every day. I know I will be watching with anticipation, will you?

Timely too!  Sanchez is scheduled to fight Fighters.com and UFC Lightweight Champion “Prodigy” BJ Penn (14-5-1) at UFC 107 in Memphis December 12.

Top contender “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (17-4) has a few options for his next challenge.  He could fight Sengoku champ Mizuto Hirota (9-3) when Japanese promotions DREAM and Sengoku collaborate north of Tokyo on New Year’s Eve, but told a press conference announcing the collaboration he didn’t know who Hirota is.  Or, he could take the previously rumored matchup versus eigth-ranked “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2) at the same event.  Or, Aoki could make his Strikeforce debut, as the Japanese star has signed with the UFC’s top competition to make his American debut in 2010.

Fourth-ranked “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (18-7) was challenged by former foe and top tenner Eiji Mitsuoka (15-6-2) for the DREAM/Sengoku collaboration, but no confirmation of the matchup has been announced.

Fifth-ranked “Bully” Gray Maynard (8-0) will fight Nate Diaz (10-5) at UFC Fight Night 20 at the Patriot Center at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia January 11.

Sixth-ranked “The Answer” Frank Edgar (10-1) will take on late replacement for “Batman” Kurt Pellegrino (15-4), undefeated Matt Veach (8-0), at The Ultimate Fighter 10 finale in Las Vegas December 5.

Ninth-ranked “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-4-1) announced he’ll fight “Tractor” Rafaello Oliveira (8-2) at UFC 108 in Las Vegas January 2.

Fighters.com November Lightweight Rankings

1. “Prodigy” BJ Penn (14-5-1)

2. “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (17-4)

3. Eddie Alvarez (16-2)

4. “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (18-7)

5. “Bully” Gray Maynard (8-0)

6. “The Answer” Frank Edgar (10-1)

7. “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (11-4)

8. “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2)

9. “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-4-1)

10.  “Nightmare” Diego Sanchez (21-2)

A co-main-event fight is also scheduled between The Ultimate Fighter 8 winner Efrain Escudero (12-0) and another undefeated 155-pounder Evan Dunham (11-0).

Xtreme Couture’s Maynard, a contender on the verge of a title shot through a potential win, climbed to 8-0 going sixth straight in the UFC with a split-decision win over “El Matador” Roger Huerta (20-3-1) at UFC Fight Night 19 in Oklahoma City back in September. Maynard first faced Diaz during the fifth season of The Ultimate Fighter suffering a submission loss during the semifinals.

Diaz is now returning to the octagon with momentum following his submission of “Young Assassin” Melvin Guillard (22-8-2) at UFC Fight Night 19. Diaz dropped two fights via decision following a five fight winning streak on the heels of his winning season five of The Ultimate Fighter over “Pitbull” Manvel Gamburyan (8-3).

Escudero is undefeated now twelve fights deep into his career. Winner of The Ultimate Fighter season eight title by defeating Phillipe Nover (4-1) via unanimous decision, Escudero recently stunned American Top Team’s “Magrinho” Cole Miller (15-3) in a first round KO at UFC 103 in December.

On the other side of the cage, Dunham defeated Swedish lightweight Per Eklund (14-3-1) during his debut at UFC 95 on February 21 followed by a tough split-decision win over American Top Team’s “Maximus” Marcus Aurélio (18-7) at UFC 102 in August.

Thus far the two main event fights were the only two bouts officially released to the media but eight additional bouts are anticipated to finish out the bill.

Sanchez has certainly fought in some of SpikeTV’s most memorable fights, including his most recent split decision victory over perennial gatekeeper “Carpenter” Clay Guida (25-10) at The Ultimate Fighter 9 finale in Las Vegas June 20.

But, UFC lightweights fifth-ranked “Bully” Gray Maynard (8-0) and sixth-ranked “The Answer” Frank Edgar (10-1) are more deserving of a title shot, though admittedly less well-known to casual UFC fans.

Maynard won a split decision over another unranked, but popular UFC lightweight “El Matador” Roger Huerta (20-3-1) at UFC Fight Night 19 in Oklahoma City September 16.

Edgar will follow-up his unanimous decision over former UFC champ ninth-ranked “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-4-1) at UFC 98 in Las Vegas May 23 versus “Batman” Kurt Pellegrino (15-4) at The Ultimate Fighter 10 finale in Las Vegas December 5.

Diaz beats unrelenting, but beatable Guida and gets a title shot versus Penn.  Edgar beats the former champ Sherk and is notched down to fight Pellegrino.  Explain that…

Sherk was scheduled to fight Gleison Tibau (16-6) at UFC 104 in Los Angeles October 24, but withdrew with an injury.

Most recent UFC title challenger, seventh-ranked “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (11-4), will swap opponents with Diaz when he fights Guida at UFC 107.

Meanwhile, across the Pacific second-ranked DREAM champ “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (17-4) avenged his most recent loss in the division with an armbar submission of fourth-ranked “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (18-7) at DREAM.11 in Yokohama October 6 and is already slated to defend his title from eighth-ranked “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2) at Dynamite!! 2009 north of Tokyo on New Year’s Eve.

Third-ranked Eddie Alvarez (16-2) and tenth-ranked Katsunori Kikuno (5-0-1) will fight at DREAM.12 in Osaka October 25 for the next DREAM title shot versus the winner of Aoki v Kawajiri.

Fighters.com’s October Lightweight Rankings

1. “Prodigy” BJ Penn (14-5-1)

2. “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (17-4)

3. Eddie Alvarez (16-2)

4. “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (18-7)

5. “Bully” Gray Maynard (8-0)

6. “The Answer” Frank Edgar (10-1)

7. “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (11-4)

8. “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2)

9. “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-4-1)

10. Katsunori Kikuno (5-0-1)

The opening round set the theme of this fight as a tenacious and fast-paced affair.  The fighters measured one another up with leg kicks and punch flurries.  Huerta threw a healthy dose of lower legs kicks with Maynard answering with an equal helping of overhand right.  A minute in, Maynard attempted a Greco-style clinch, but Huerta escaped. During the exit, Maynard landed a big overhand right punch. Shaking the heavy right hand off, Huerta charged forward.  A second overhand right by Maynard knocked Huerta off balance, landing partially to the ground on one knee. Maynard, a three-time All-American college wrestler seemed more interested in throwing his trademark right hands. Huerta attempted to confuse Maynard’s boxing barrage by continously switching stances to southpaw. But the change of stances by Huerta was no obstacle as Maynard continued to deliver overhand rights with accuracy. Maynard followed his pinpoint right hand shots with a heavy left punch. With the clock ticking down and Maynard in momentum, suddenly “The Matador” caught “The Bully” in a furious exchange. Maynard visibly shaken bravely stayed in the fight charging back into the mix. Maynard grabbed a single leg and attempted a takedown but Huerta stuffed it pushing off the cage followed by a flurry of punches to the head of Maynard.

The second round began quickly with no measuring or calculations on the part of either fighter.  Huerta opened with a combination head and leg kicks.  Maynard answered with a solid right hook.  Maynard threw a heavy left overhand that missed opening the door for Huerta to answer with a fast flurry of left and right punch combinations.  Maynard countered with a strong left and right flurry of his own.  Huerta landed another lower leg kick but Maynard caught his willing opponent with yet another another heavy overhand right punch. Maynard suddenly shifted into stalking mode and buckled Huerta with a powerful straight jab.  But in exciting fashion, Huerta shook off the sting of Maynard’s jab and moved forward.  Huerta landed a leg kick as Maynard answered with a tough right hook.  Mayanrd seemingly in command of the momentum again landed a brief clinch tagging Huerta with a knee to the chin.  Maynard, moving forward in determination, pounded Huerta with another of his trademark overhand right punches.  Huerta answered by rushing forward with a fast flurry of punches backing Maynard into the fence.

The fight seemed really close on the cards and still quite fast paced as the final round began.  Maynard landed a bombing overhand right to Huerta’s jaw just as Maynard’s own nose began to spout blood from the three rounds of back-and-forth bruising.  Maynard rushed in for a double leg takedown and powerfully slammed Huerta to the floor. Maynard suddenly on top of a kneeling Huerta landed a few hammerfists for good measure.  Maynard sprawled in an attempt to win top-control over Huerta.  Huerta battled to foil Maynard’s wrestling superiority.  Scrambling, Huerta bravely avoided being taken down.  In the midst of Huerta’s respectable defense, Maynard suddenly grabbed a very strong Kimura from half guard.  Huerta in trouble from the submission hold tenaciously scrambled forcing Maynard to roll over on his back.  But Maynard refused to let go of the Kimura.  Huerta, still in visible trouble but refusing to tap out, landed some short shots to the ribs of Maynard.  Huerta scrambled again to avoid being pinned while Maynard continued to bully Huerta like his namesake.  Huerta eventually escaped to an upright clinch but Maynard landed some tough Greco-style punches to Huerta’s chin as the final bell rang.

Diaz and Guillard cross paths moving in opposite directions.

Diaz is on a two-fight losing streak, most recently getting manhandled in a UD loss to a relentless “Daddy” Joe Stevenson (30-9) at The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale in Las Vegas last month.

Guillard is on a two-fight win streak, most recently pulling ahead in a split decision over Gleison Tibau (16-6) at the same event.

However, Diaz’s recent losses are against notably better competition than Guillard’s recent wins.

Sports Illustrated cover boy Huerta returns from being simply out-classed in a UD loss to UFC title challenger “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (11-3) at UFC 87 last August. This fight represents the final fight on his UFC contract, after which Huerta evidently plans to retire to pursue an acting career.

That’s not a healthy mindset to have when facing down Maynard, who will make his sixth Octagon appearance. At UFC 96 in March, Maynard defended his perfect record with a unanimous decision over “Mongoose” Jim Miller (13-2).

The card will air in the United States on SpikeTV and represents the UFC’s return to Oklahoma City after a 15-year absence.

Top welterweight contender “Pitbull” Thiago Alves (16-3) easily beat fourth-ranked Josh Koscheck (11-3) by unanimous decision. Scores were 30-27 twice and 29-28 once.

Fourth-ranked heavyweight “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1) was devastated by fellow Brazilian, but virtual unknown “Cigano” Junior dos Santos (7-1) via first-round TKO at 1:21.

Fifth-ranked lightweight “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-3-1) won a unanimous decision over Tyson Griffin (12-2) by judges’ scores of 29-28 twice and 30-27 once.

Thales Leites (14-1), “Bully” Gray Maynard (6-0), “King” Spencer Fisher (22-4), Dan Miller (10-1), “Drago” Pete Sell (8-4), and Hermes Franca (19-7) were all winners inside the Octagon.

Silva Wins Via Cote Injury

Fighters.com’s Middleweight Champion “Spider” Anderson Silva (23-4) won by TKO when “Predator” Patrick Cote’s (13-5) knee popped at 39 seconds of round three.

It was an odd conclusion to Silva’s longest fight since 2004. At the beginning of round three, Cote was visibly excited to make it further than any of Silva’s previous UFC opponents, but, 39 seconds later, he was on the mat holding his knee and grimmacing in pain.

“It’s an old injury,” Cote explained. “I busted my knee in the second round and I tried to come back in the third and my knee just popped out.” Cote added, “I’m so sorry.”

Silva said, “I came here to fight. Patrick came here to fight. He was exchanging. It was a fine fight, but unfortunately he got hurt.”

In fact, in round one, it didn’t seem as Silva came to fight as he circled Cote for two full minutes before slapping a low kick to Cote’s thigh. Cote scored with a body kick; but, Silva followed-up with a knee that split Cote over his right eye.

In a bit of showboating, Silva actually offered to help Cote off the mat in round two. Cote had pulled guard and landed elbows from the mat before Silva stood out of Cote’s guard and extended his hand.

Silva landed elbows and knees more frequently in the second round.

The third round and, really, the fight had barely began when Cote’s knee gave and ended the night.

Silva is probably on his way to a 205-pound match-up at UFC 92 in Las Vegas 27 December.

Alves Easily Defeats Koscheck

Top welterweight contender “Pitbull” Thiago Alves (16-3) easily beat fourth-ranked Josh Koscheck (11-3) by unanimous decision. Scores were 30-27 twice and 29-28 once.

With the win, Alves should cement himself into the UFC’s top contender spot to fight the winner between Welterweight Champion “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (17-2) and Ligthweight Champion “Prodigy” B.J. Penn (13-4-1); though, UFC President Dana White has already begun floating a St. Pierre versus Silva match-up if St. Pierre wins.

Alves hammered Koscheck’s legs to mush over three rounds. By the third round, Koscheck was wobbly and vulnerable to a Superman punch.

Throughout the fight, Koscheck answered Alves’s aggressive striking consistently; but, Alves’s strikes added up, earning him the decision.

“Cigano” Crumbles Werdum

Fourth-ranked heavyweight “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1) was devastated by fellow Brazilian “Cigano” Junior dos Santos (7-1) via first-round TKO at 1:21.

“I knew that once my hand would get in there and hit him, I could knock him out,” explained dos Santos after the fight. “I just waited for the right time and I put my fist in his face.”

Werdum crumbled at the end of a “Cigano” right uppercut; and, dos Santos followed-up with several shots as Werdum lay on the mat.

“The uppercut is one of my best punches,” dos Santos added. “Once I hit him with a couple of jabs I knew that he always dropped his head.”

“Cigano”, a pupil of second-ranked “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (31-4-1) was making his UFC debut.

Werdum had been guaranteed a title shot with a victory.

Sherks Wins First in 15 Months

Fifth-ranked lightweight “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-3-1) won a unanimous decision over Tyson Griffin (12-2) by judges’ scores of 29-28 twice and 30-27 once.

“This is the first win I’ve had in 15 months, believe it or not,” Sherk said after he dominated the young talent most of the fight. “I definitely want to get back out there and get a shot at that belt.”

Sherk took Griffin’s back twice in the first round, once after taking Griffin down and another transitioning from a Griffin takedown attempt. Griffin defended both times.

In the second round, Sherk countered Griffin’s leg kicks with jabs and Griffin’s punches to the body with left hooks.

“People really do underestimate my hands,” explained Sherk.

Griffin landed punches more frequently in round three; but, Sherk often answered him with his own punches.

“He rocked me a few times,” Sherk admitted. “The kid hits hard. The kid’s really aggressive. He’s 24-years old, he’s not going anywhere.”

After winning, Sherk emphasized, “I want to be a two-time UFC champion.”

Leites Quick To Tap McFedries

UFC middleweight contender Thales Leites (14-1) wasted no time tapping “Massacre” Andrew McFedries (7-5) in a rear naked choke.

Leites took down McFedries quickly; and, McFedries rolled to his stomach to escape. Leites hopped on McFedries’s back and wrapped up the choke at 1:18 of the first round.

Maynard Takes Decision Over Clementi

Lightweight “Bully” Gray Maynard (6-0) remained undefeated after a unanimous decision over “No Love” Rich Clementi (32-13-1) by judges’ scores of 30-27 three times.

“He’s a vet, man; and, I could tell,” Maynard said after the fight. “So, I was like, ‘Alright. Let’s try the takedown.’”

Maynard slammed Clementi in every round.

Maynard said, “He’s crafty! Like, tied me up, like, at all times. He would just keep close and keep it tied up.”

Neither fighter did much damage on the mat. In the second round Maynard locked up a guillotine; but, Clementi freed himself and attempted an armbar moments later.

Maynard spent most of the third round controlling the fight from the top position.

“King” Fisher Taps Gugerty

“King” Spencer Fisher (22-4) tapped lightweight Shannon Gugerty (11-3) in a triangle choke at 3:56 of round three.

Gugerty wrestled Fisher down in the third and landed inside Fisher’s guard, from which Fisher applied the choke and forced the tap.

Fisher had dominated the fight with aggressive striking and work in the clinch; but, Gugerty nearly caught Fisher in a guillotine choke in round two.

Miller Wins Again, UD Over Fellow Ex-IFLer Horwich

In his Octagon sequel, middleweight Dan Miller (10-1) spoiled fellow former IFL fighter “Suave” Matt Horwich’s (22-11-1) UFC debut in a unanimous decision by judges’ scores of 29-28 three times.

Miller opened each round with a takedown of Horwich, but got swept and nearly tapped in a rear naked choke in round two. Miller defended the choke and Horwich had to settle for landing shot from the mount as the round ended.

However, in rounds one and three, Miller controlled position and landed shots from the top position to pick up his second UFC “W”.

Sell Wins First in Octagon Since 2005

Welterweight “Drago” Pete Sell (8-4) served “The People’s Warrior” Josh Burkman (18-8) his third consecutive loss in a unanimous decision by judges’ scores of 29-28 three times.

After losing the first round to Burkman on the mat, Sell tagged Burkman to the body repeatedly in rounds two and three. After softening Burkman up, Sell took Burkman to the mat and ended the fight latching a guillotine choke around Burkman’s neck. Burkman defended the choke to the final bell.

The win is Sell’s first in the Octagon since February 2005.

Franca Dispatches Former Training Partner Aurelio

Lightweight Hermes Franca (19-7) won a unanimous decision over “Maximus” Marcus Aurelio (16-7) by judges scores of 29-28 twice and 30-27 once.

Unfortunately, little of the bitterness between the two former training partners motivated them between the first and final bell; though, Franca pushed Aurelio inside the Octagon before the fight; and, Aurelio refused to shake hands with Franca after the fight.

Franca won the judges’ favors by consistently landing a leg kick throughout the three largely uneventful rounds.