Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Takeaways from Nate Diaz's Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale win over Gray Maynard
Dec 2, 2013 - 6:10:28 PM ROUNDTABLE: Takeaways from Nate Diaz's Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale win over Gray Maynard

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What do you take away from Nate Diaz's win over Gray Maynard? Is Maynard simply done? Is Diaz capable of another lightweight run?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Considering that I thought Maynard was shot before Diaz vs. Maynard took place, I don't take one single thing away from the fight. I mean, Maynard is a supposed power fighter who refuses to wrestle who can't finish anyone who has lost his chin. Why should I think that Nathan Diaz is all of a sudden an elite lightweight all of a sudden? Let him fight Rafael dos Anjos or Khabib Nurmagomedov this spring, then get back to me on him.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think Maynard is basically done. He can get some wins here and there, but he's done as a high-level competitor. As for Diaz, he can make another run, but it's not likely. I think he can get close, but it's going to be hard for him to get a title fight. There's a lot of guys in the division at his level or higher so I don't think the pieces fall into place for him to get a title shot.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Maynard is toast, the best he can hope to achieve at this point is to become a gatekeeper. I thought there would be more in the cards with his future but his chin has been clocked too many times and he needs to rethink his gameplan and decide where he wants to go from here personally. Maynard is an elite fighter, don't get me wrong, but his best is behind him and even those fights didn't entertain me much. He needs to figure out whats next for him personally, and avoid taking any further damage for his own safety. I'm sure we'll see him fight a guy like Donald Cerrone next to test his meddle but, all in all his hopes of title contention are long gone.


CAMERON LYMAN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Maynard's record speaks for itself here. He was 10-0-1-1 and since then has won once while getting TKOd three times in his last four. While he may not be done, he needs to give his brain a rest for awhile to see if he can still make a living by getting fists thrown at his head. This should not take away from Diaz's accomplishment. His volume striking gameplan was too much for Maynard and he came to finish.


ALVIN CARTER, MMATORCH SPECIALIST

Diaz is capable and ready to make a run. His big stop gap will be his friend and training partner Gilbert Melendez. Maynard is not done. He has taken a lot if punishment over the last couple of years, but he can get back on track with two solid wins. He is far from a title run, but two wins should get him back in the middle of the ladder.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Diaz was extremely impressive against Maynard and exceeded my expectations wholeheartedly. His striking looked crisp and his killer instinct was fierce. I don't think Maynard is done, but he needs to take some time and really evaluate where he wants his career to go. And as much as I like to see Diaz fight, I don't think he will be winning a title anytime soon, there are just too many guys at 155 that I think can beat him. That list includes Bendo, T.J. Grant, Khabilov, and Nurmagomedov. That being said, I would LOVE to see him and Pettis throw down.