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Ross Pearson's Win Over Gray Maynard Eradicated Loss to Diego Sanchez
Ross Pearson didn’t want to have a repeat on Saturday night of his previous fight.
Against Diego Sanchez in June, Pearson dropped a split decision to the hometown fighter on a card in Albuquerque, N.M. The loss stung and carried over into Pearson's UFC Fight Night 47 co-main event against Gray Maynard.
SEE ALSO: Gray Maynard vs. Ross Pearson
“I needed to get that fight gone. It’s out my head now; it’s done,” Pearson said, following the win on Saturday. “I kind of had some frustration going into this fight and I just released it all and really let it go.”
In a fight that nearly all pundits scored for Pearson, Sanchez walked out of the arena with the win in his back pocket, leaving Pearson with a desire to get that one back. The opportunity to turn things around came against Maynard, and Pearson emphatically took advantage of the opportunity with a technical knockout in the second round.
The first round was close, Pearson admitted, but like the Sanchez bout, he didn't feel like he lost any part of the contest. One thing he did admit, however, is that he tends to be a slow starter and that's something he needs to work on.
Regardless of the slow beginnings, Pearson said he was confident he was going to win this one outright, avoiding a repeat of what he experienced in Albuquerque just over two months ago.
“I didn’t feel like I lost (the opening round). I’m a five-round fighter,” he said. “I'm a slow starter. I need find my rhythm and timing. It’s something I need to work on. But I definitely think I’m a five-round fighter. I felt comfortable in there. I was never in danger; I was never hurt. I just knew it was a close round. I hurt him a couple of times. I thought I had him off that high kick.
“Gray’s tough, man. He weathered the storm and he got a takedown and I just had to keep busy, stay on my game.”
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