UFN Maynard vs Diaz Aftermath

I have to say, the Gray Maynard vs Nate Diaz fight came as something of a shock.

I expected Maynard would take down Diaz and win the fight easily with control, but he really wants to get rid of his lay and pray label, doesn’t he? In a move that can only be described as bizarre, Maynard chose to stand and trade strikes with Diaz for 3 rounds, coming away with a split decision that could have just as easily been a draw or even a loss. I also think Maynard’s unwillingness to go to the ground when he knocked Diaz down looked too much like fear of a submission. This is probably why Frank Edgar has just been given the next title shot against BJ Penn, when it could so easily have gone to Maynard.d

While I thought Amir Sadollah wasn’t going to have an easy time against Brad Blackburn, he won a solid unanimous decision, with 30-27 from every judge. Blackburn had a good start in round 1, but the fight changed after an uppercut rocked him later in the first. Rounds 2 and 3 went without question to Sadollah, and a fourth round probably would have seen Blackburn finished off.

Evan Dunham vs Efrain Escudero was a bit of an upset, with Escudero tapping to an armbar in the third round. The armbar was on good and deep before he tapped, and it seemed like his arm was injured thanks to his stubbornness, but he has reported that nothing is broken. It’s a bit of an unfortunate loss, as he was probably on the way to bigger and better things if he had managed to pull off a win.

Other results from UFN 20 included a decision win for Chris Leben, who had clearly fallen a long way. From headlining a card to the prelims of a UFC Fight Night? It could be worse, but not by much, so maybe this win will get him back onto UFC PPVs. I have an awful feeling that the lack of a finish may just squeeze him out of the UFC entirely, though. We’ll just have to wait and see.