The number one contender to the UFC lightweight title was set for the final fight in his trilogy with current champion Frankie Edgar until circumstance intervened and both fighters were injured. Sitting on the sidelines and watching UFC 130 pass him by was tough for Maynard, and the typically-reserved Maynard responded by becoming even more introverted.
“Not being able to fight was tough. I didn’t want to talk to media, didn’t want to anybody about it because I was upset. I just wanted to get through it. I turned my phone off and just shut everything and everybody out for a bit. Then your mind starts to clear up and you realize that injuries happen. It’s a combat sport. [Frankie] is injured too, and I’ve had a back issue in the past as well. It sucks because you can’t train right when that happens.
“On my side, training camp was decent but not great. I had a few injuries and there were other things that I had just been putting off for a long time because nothing was going to take my focus off getting that belt. Frankie is going to heal up and I’m in the process of doing the same, so I’m looking forward to getting in there with him again.”
“The UFC was really cool with how things happened with fight. They understand that guys get hurt. The day after the fight was cancelled they flew me out to L.A. to get checked out. They’ve spared no expense to make sure I’m healed up correctly. It’s definitely something I appreciate and I can’t say enough how well the UFC has treated me during this process.”
After getting his injuries tended to Maynard has begun what he hopes will be a quick recovery process. In addition to physical therapy, “The Bully” has changed portions of his training and conditioning.
“I’m actually doing more endurance training they you would for a triathlon. I’m biking, running and swimming. I’m focusing on building up my endurance in a different way. I’m working with a bike company named Ellsworth now and it’s a great way to train without putting a lot of wear and tear on my body as I heal up.”
In the absence of both the champion and top contender, the lightweight division has continued to heat up. With high profile matchups between some of the top fighters in the weight class on the horizon, divisional status is coming into focus.
“I think lightweight is for sure the toughest division in the sport. I think it’s been that way for awhile now but fans weren’t that familiar with a lot of the names in the weight class. Having the UFC lightweight title is a life changer. The level of competition in the division has built the belt up to a place where it has a lot of perks to holding it. It will change everything for a career. Don’t get me wrong – those perks are great – but for me it is achieving a goal and being at the top of the mountain. As much as I want that belt, just getting it isn’t enough. I want to hold onto it.”
Edgar and Maynard continue to play the waiting game. No date has been determined for the rematch, and vague hints of “fall” don’t help Maynard’s impatience. But all of the waiting is making Maynard even more antsy to ascend to the top of his division.
“Coming into college my entire goal was an NCAA championship. I wanted to be the champion 3 or 4 times and I wouldn’t accept anything less. I woke up every day and that’s all I could think about and that’s what drove me forward. I came up short a few times and it kept pushing harder because it’s the only thing I wanted and at the end, it never happened.
“I looked back and thought about what I did wrong and one big point I learned from other athletes and peers is that my focus was wrong. Having a high standard for success and long term goals is fine while you can have that in your head; the focus needs to be on what you can learn today. Setting daily goals has made all the difference. If I’m doing drills, I’m doing it to the very best of my ability.
“Focusing on the end goal too much allows for days to slip by where maybe you aren’t giving everything you have at every moment in the gym. The ultimate goal is to beat Edgar and hold onto that belt but my goal for today is to heal up. Then ease back into training and when the time is right switch gears and have the best camp I’ve ever had. Once that is accomplished I’ll come out more prepared then I’ve ever been.”
Maynard concluded, “I’d fight him 100 more times if the UFC would let me and that’s a fact. January 1st has been on my mind every day since.”
