• UFC 118

Florian panics under pressure - Maynard

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Gray Maynard claims Kenny Florian is prone to panic when he's under pressure inside an Octagon, and The Bully intends to take him outside his comfort zone at UFC 118.

Maynard's clash with Florian holds huge significance on August 28, with the winner set to earn No. 1 contender status in the lightweight division. Hometown favourite Florian may not get a title crack if BJ Penn regains his belt from Frankie Edgar, but both Ken-Flo and Maynard would be guaranteed a shot if Edgar holds on to his strap.

This isn't new territory for Florian, who has continued to improve despite losing two title matches in the past to Penn and Sean Sherk. Maynard is different though, he is yet to have a shot at UFC gold, but he does not believe it will be him feeling the heat in Boston.

"Every fight's about breaking somebody's will. That's what I like to do," said Maynard. "I break people's will, and make sure they know they can't beat me

"Kenny Florian's a tough guy but that doesn't worry me at all. There's no part of his game that I don't think I can beat.

"Every time he's in there and he's doing good, he feels good. But when it gets down to it, like against BJ Penn, he changes his plans pretty quick when it isn't going his way."

Maynard, who trains at Xtreme Couture, has wins against Nate Diaz and - crucially - current champion Frankie Edgar to his name. He is undefeated in nine MMA fights, and the 31-year-old insists there is no stopping him getting his hands on the lightweight crown.

"Line them up. I love to fight," he said. "I love to beat people, and that's exactly what will happen. It's not if, it's when, it's when I get that chance I'll get the belt."

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