This is the UFC Fight Night 20 live blog for Gray Maynard vs. Nate Diaz, the main event for tonight's Spike TV card.Maynard and Frankie Edgar are the front runners to face BJ Penn for the belt at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi. Will a convincing win over Diaz push Maynard ahead of Edgar?
The live blog begins below.
Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez is in Diaz's corner. Randy Couture is in Maynard's.
Round 1: Diaz paws with his long right arm. Maynard trying to hit and move, while Diaz looking more to counter. Maynard bleeds from his right eye. Maynard swings right hands for one-punch knockouts. Diaz trying to land on his long jab. Diaz works leg kicks and almost gets punished with a counter right punch. Diaz does his "let's get it on" routine with his arms in the air and Maynard responds in kind.
MMAFighting.com scores the close round 10-9 for Maynard.
Round 2: Maynard lands a right hand by faking a takedown. Both are scoring points off close shots. Maynard clips DIaz with a big right. Diaz hits him to the body and taunts him. Both hit each other with a right from short range. Maynard lands a left. Maynard drops Diaz with a right knee. Maynard allows Diaz to get up to keep the fight standing. Maynard trips up Diaz with right hands. Diaz gets through with two punches. Diaz raises his arms again and the crowd boos. Maynard lands a left hook. Maynard doing a good job evading Diaz's punches. Diaz pushes Maynard with a front kick and flings a cocky right hand.
Round two was much clearer. 10-9 Maynard.
Round 3: Diaz catches Maynard with a left and Maynard slips to his back at around 3:30. Maynard using a lot of head movement. Maynard is slowing. Diaz continues to stick out jabs. Diaz lands a left that stutters Maynard, but he quickly recovers. Diaz landing more punches with a minute left. Diaz shoots and Maynard defends. Diaz shoots again but eats a knee to the body.
MMAFighting.com scores round three 10-9 Diaz and the fight 29-28 in favor of Maynard.
Maynard wins by split decision
Get the latest gear
