Gray Maynard Returns To Face Fabricio Camoes At UFC 176
After a tumultuous 2013 that saw Gray Maynard lose his only two fights to vicious knockouts from TJ Grant and Nate Diaz, “The Bully” needed some time off from the cage.
Following an eight-month hiatus, the UFC announced today that Maynard will return this summer, facing Fabricio Camoes at UFC 176 on August 2 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The No. 8-ranked Maynard seeks to stop a snide that has seen him record a dismal 1-3-1 record since his title shot-sealing victory over Kenny Florian in August 2010.
Many argue that Maynard’s brutal rivalry with former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar took all that he had left for fighting, and there’s not much evidence to prove them wrong at this point. Maynard will look to begin righting those wrongs against Camoes, a huge step down in competition who has also lost his last two bouts.
The 35-year-old Brazilian was submitted by Jim Miller at UFC 168 after dropping a decision to Melvin Guillard at UFC 148.
Given the recent history of both fighters, there’s going to be a lot of ring rust to shake off. The loser of this bout could definitely see their UFC employment go up in smoke, making it a pivotal one for the careers of both fighters. Can “The Bully” get back to winning ways this summer, or has the talented UFC lightweight division passed him by?
