Gray Maynard is set to retire.
On Saturday, after the two-time title contender was knocked out by Ross Pearson, it is widely expected that the fighter will hang up his gloves. The hot-button topic of Maynard’s impending exit from the sport was discussed at length by UFC President Dana White at the post-fight press conference.
Although UFC President Dana White said he wasn’t going to “chase Gray out of the game,” he did admit that the two need to talk about what happens next for the once top-ranked veteran.
“You know, it’s probably a discussion we might have,” he said. “He came here, (and) he fought,” White said. “He’s been cleared medically to fight. I think the kid is healthy.”
It’s easy to see why many insiders are predicting the fighter to call it quits. Prior to Saturday’s tussle with Pearson, Maynard’s last UFC fight was nine months ago and ended in a first-round TKO loss to Nate Diaz. Prior to that, the veteran of The Ultimate Fighter 5 was stopped in the first once again by T.J. Grant. Maynard is 1-3 in his past four fights. Prior to this losing streak, however, Maynard won eight straight fights.
The 35-year-old fighter left his longtime gym, Las Vegas’ Xtreme Couture, following his title loss and relocated to American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif. To get ready for the Pearson fight, Maynard signed up with Power MMA in Gilbert, Ariz.
