Quick Quote: Gray Maynard isn't interested in using "gimmicks" to sell fights
Posted on May 24, 2011, 11:27 PM by Joey Santosus"You got everybody trying so hard to get out there, and I don't know if it's my attitude, but I don't really give a f--k. ...I'm just me, and that's not me. These guys are acting like, I don't know, you're a gimmick. Do you want to be that or is it you? I don't know. It's a gimmick, I think, and it's not me. 98 percent of the people I talk to are like, 'Man, you got to build this fight up. You got to do this.' If the guy's an a--hole then I'll tell him he's an a--hole. But if he's not, then there's nothing to talk about. - For more from Gray Maynard's appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, visit MMAFighting.com
While Twitter wars and trash-talking campaigns have become commonplace among UFC competitors hoping to boost pay-per-view sales, don't expect any such "gimmicks" from Gray Maynard. Widely criticized as a "boring" fighter, many questioned whether Maynard's UFC 125 title match against fellow wrestler and Lightweight champ Frankie Edgar could possibly deliver as the night's main event. However, after a five-round war that would ultimately end in a draw, their third encounter quickly became one of the year's most anticipated bouts.
Edgar vs. Maynard III was originally set to headline this Saturday's UFC 130 event from Las Vegas, Nevada, but was pulled from the card when first Edgar, then shortly thereafter, Maynard, both withdrew from the bout citing injuries. Though no exact date has been set for their return, the match-up is expected to take place some time this August or September.
Photo: Gray Maynard, left, fights Jim Miller during UFC 96 at the Nationwide Arena on March 7, 2009 in Columbus, OH. Francis Specker
Comments
Theres no shame in marketing, hyping up a fight and inevitably putting more money in your pocket. But i can see grays pov from a prideful perspective
I see it too but couple his insular personality and quiet manner with his dull fighting style and he can be frustrating to a fan. Granted his last fight was awesome, but his fights leading up to his shot were pretty boring. It's a bit insulting to hear a guy like this basically say he only cares about winning and not about the fans. The fact is he'd be nothing without the fans and the UFC would be nothing without the guys who are willing to hype the fights and do go out there and bang.
Although if he keeps putting on fights as good as his last I'll be swiftly shut up
Trash talking is not needed to make money. No one watches something else or gets up out of the bar when a fight comes on that didnt have trash talkin involved pre fight. Its fans that need trash talking to get into the fight that seem to give the wrong spin on MMA. They may fight like animals but that dosnt mean they have to act like em.
That's cool. I respect that and it would be hard to be pissed at Frankie since he's a nice guy. Let your fists do the talking!
I agree with Gray because I'm the same way. You shouldn't need to "build" up the fight. The fights should really sell themselves.
True true. If they want trash talk stick to WWE.I think because brock brought a cross over portion of fans and DW sees the exta profit generated when a fight is hyped up well he has encourage trash talking becoming more prominent in the UFC. As an old school fan I totally agree with Maynard. No good fight needs selling as any true fan will une in regardless and do not want MMA to go down the WWE format.
This is why i love fighters like gray maynard or cain velasquez! they dont give a sh!t about trashtalk or media they are quiet and boring but at the sametime very humble! They just go in to the cage and get the job done.
The trash talk and "Twitter Wars" are grade school playground level antics. This is professional fighting, not kindergarten. It gets old real quick. That's why you see real pros like GSP completely avoid crap like that. He's a true professional. Good for Gray, I agree with him for once.
seeing as grays got the personality of a 3 toed sloth, yea he should probly just stick to traing.