Maynard, Diaz set to lead Fight Night

“Anytime you lose, it sucks bad. That was a tough loss,” Maynard said. “It hurt, of course, but I knew I had a long way to go, so I just kind of tried to keep going and train hard.”

The work has paid off, and Maynard has erased the memories of that defeat, which came when the fighters were competing on the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s reality show, “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Though Diaz went on to win Season 5, it’s Maynard who has a spotless professional record and can continue his rise in the lightweight division tonight by winning the rematch on an Ultimate Fight Night card in Fairfax, Va., on Spike (Cable 29, tape-delayed at 9 p.m.).

Maynard says the first bout, which was in 2007 and officially was considered an exhibition, was not a good indicator of the two fighters’ skill level.

“I don’t think that was the best me or the best Nate, even at the time,” the Las Vegan said. “That TV show was horrible. It was on the last day, and we both just wanted to leave and go home. But he did the job, and I left with a loss.”

Maynard has done more with his opportunity since the show, however. While Diaz has suffered two UFC defeats, Maynard has reeled off six straight wins in the organization since a no-contest in his official debut.

“We both have grown a lot and have been going up against tough guys,” said Maynard, who was submitted by guillotine choke in the first meeting. “You can only grow with that. You can’t think it’s going to go like the last time. It’s a new fight. I’m prepared, and he is, too.”

Diaz echoed Maynard’s analysis, saying, “Gray’s definitely gotten better since the last time. He was kind of newer then, but I’ve been getting better, too.”

A win could mean more for Maynard because lightweight champion BJ Penn is without an opponent for his next title defense, which is expected to occur in April. Frankie Edgar is believed to be the front-runner for the challenger slot, but Maynard has beaten Edgar and could make his case with a strong performance tonight.

“I haven’t even dealt with that at all because I’ve got to fight Nate. I don’t really care what might happen or what could happen,” Maynard said. “That’s all would-haves and could-haves. I’ll deal with that on (Tuesday), whatever they’re talking about.”

One thing holding back Maynard’s progress might be his inability to finish fights. His past five victories are by decision, including a split decision over Roger Huerta in September.

By contrast, Diaz has five submission victories and one decision among six UFC wins.

He is one of three former “The Ultimate Fighter” winners competing on the card.

Season 7 winner Amir Sadollah will fight Brad Blackburn in a welterweight bout, and Season 8 champion Efrain Escudero will take on Evan Dunham in a lightweight contest.

After winning on the show in December 2008, Escudero missed an extended period with torn cartilage in his ribs. He returned in September with a knockout of Cole Miller and will try to remain unbeaten tonight, though that’s not his motivation.

“I kind of throw out the record when I step in the Octagon; I just love to compete,” he said. “Call me crazy, but I love being punched in the head and the face, and I love punching people back.”

Dunham has relocated to Las Vegas to train at Xtreme Couture and also puts a perfect record at stake. He has nine wins, two in the UFC.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.