TUF 18 Finale: Nate Diaz vs. Gray Maynard Dissection  Original
photos by Esther Lin for MMAFighting.com   WHO: Nate Diaz vs.
Gray Maynard WHAT: The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale WHERE:
Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada WHEN: Saturday, November 30
Nate Diaz vs. Gray Maynard -- Lightweight bout  Oft-disgruntled
ruffian Nate Diaz (16-9) is set to clash with wrestle-boxing
bulldozer Gray Maynard (11-2, 1 Draw, 1 No Contest) for a third
time in the TUF 18 headliner. Swagger seems to be at stake here
-- both gamers were steadily rising and brimming with confidence
in past encounters, but have now planed off after unsuccessful
title shots and unexpected knockout losses.  After a 50/50 stint
at welterweight in four turns, Diaz returned to lightweight and
pieced together a solid three-fight roll (submissions over
Takanori Gomi and Jim Miller, decision over Donald Cerrone)
before falling to then-champ Benson Henderson in a title bid.
The shocker came when Strikeforce crossover Josh Thomson cracked
the Stockton rep with a