Nate Diaz vs. Gray Maynard rubber match set for TUF 18 Finale

Two lightweight contenders coming off surprising stoppage losses will fight for a 3rd time, as former title challengers Nate Diaz and Gray Maynard clash…

By: Mookie Alexander | 10 years ago
Nate Diaz vs. Gray Maynard rubber match set for TUF 18 Finale
Bloody Elbow 2.0 | Anton Tabuena

Two lightweight contenders coming off surprising stoppage losses will fight for a 3rd time, as former title challengers Nate Diaz and Gray Maynard clash on the TUF 18 Finale on November 30th in Las Vegas:


Diaz (16-9) submitted Maynard in the semifinals of TUF 5 and went on to win the competition. He lost the rematch in 2010 by split decision and also suffered a knockdown during the fight. In recent times Diaz contended for the UFC lightweight title, only to lost in lopsided fashion to Ben Henderson. Against Josh Thomson, Diaz was wobbled by a head kick and finished by TKO for the first time in his MMA career. It’s his third two-fight losing streak in the UFC, but he’s never dropped 3 straight.

Maynard (11-2-1, 1 NC) had two chances to win the lightweight title, but failed to capitalize on dominant first rounds against Frankie Edgar, and the rubber match ended in a 4th round KO loss. After an ugly win over Clay Guida, Maynard took on T.J. Grant at UFC 160, and the Canadian pulled off a shock result with a 1st round TKO. As it stands, Maynard has just 1 win in his last 4 fights.

No other fights have been confirmed for the TUF 18 Finale other than the men’s and women’s bantamweight finals for TUF.

Share this story

About the author
Mookie Alexander
Mookie Alexander

Mookie is a former Associate Editor for Bloody Elbow, leaving in August 2022 after ten years as a member of the staff. He's still lurking behind the scenes.

More from the author

Recent Stories