Maynard defeats Diaz

UFC lightweight contender Gray Maynard kept his unbeaten streak in tact by defeating The Ultimate Fighter 5 winner Nate Diaz by split decision on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Judges’ scorecards read 29-28 Diaz, 30-27 Maynard and 29-28 Maynard.

Lightweight Evan Dunham impressively submitted The Ultimate Fighter 8 winner Efrain Escudero in the final round of an exciting lightweight contest. The tap came at 1:59.

Battling back from tremendous adversity in the first round Aaron “A-Train” Simpson used his heavy hands and tremendous wrestling to defeat “Filthy” Tom Lawlor via split decision. Judges’ scorecards read 29-28 in favor of Lawlor and 29-28 twice in favor of Simpson.

In his first Octagon appearance of 2010, The Ultimate Fighter 7 winner Amir Sadollah soundly defeated “Bad” Brad Blackburn over three rounds en route to winning a unanimous decision. Judges’ scorecards all read the same, 30-27 in favor of Amir Sadollah.

Rory MacDonald finished MMA veteran Mike “The Joker” Guymon in the first round with a tight armbar at 4:27.

Middleweight Gerald Harris defeated newcomer John Salter via TKO in the third round after landing a vicious series of punches and elbows from the top position.

In a middleweight match up, Nick Catone defeated The Ultimate Fighter alum Jesse Forbes via split decision. After three rounds of action highlighted by numerous exchanges, all three judges’ scorecards read the same, 29-28, twice in favor of Catone giving him the split decision victory.

Lightweight Rafael dos Anjos outworked Kyle Bradley over three rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory. All three judges’ scorecards read the same, 30-27.

After three grueling rounds, lightweights Thiago Tavares and Nik Lentz battled to an unpopular majority draw. Scorecards read 29-27, and 28-28 twice.

Middleweight star and former reality star Chris “The Crippler” Leben defeated Jay Silva via unanimous decision. Scorecards all read the same, 30-27.

Rick Story received the judges’ nod over opponent Jesse Lennox after three rounds. Scores read 30-27 twice and 29-28 in favor of Story.