10 Legendary MMA Bouts Where Both Fighter's Careers Never Recovered
4. UFC On FX 4: Clay Guida Vs. Gray Maynard
Whether or not the 2012 showdown between Clay Guida and Gray Maynard qualifies as 'legendary' is highly debatable. However, it was certainly memorable.
The bizarre contest featured Guida picking his spots and mostly avoiding contact with a visibly frustrated Maynard who chased him around the cage. Despite being a highly anticipated main event between two men who had a reputation as action fighters, the bout itself was a dull affair that was met with a chorus of boos from the audience.
Maynard would be declared the winner by split-decision, but the fight certainly didn't increase either man's stock. Neither fighter took a ton of damage, though both men's careers began to fade after the event.
It may have just been a sheer coincidence, but UFC on FX 4 was a turning point for both Guida and Maynard.
Guida has hung around in the UFC and remains something of a fan favorite. However, after the fight, he slowly transitioned from being a title contender to more of a gatekeeper. Since the contest with Maynard, 'The Carpenter' has gone 6-6 inside the UFC Octagon.
Maynard's fall from grace was a bit more pronounced. The former title challenger would go 2-6 over the course of his next eight bouts, before being released from the promotion.