411mania MMA Interview: LeVon "Da MaynMan" Maynard

Posted by John Curry on 05.22.2008

411mania’s John Curry sits down with the 2006 World Kickboxing Association National Champion, the Combat Sports Challenge Welterweight champion, the King of the Ring Welterweight champion and up and coming MMA fighter LeVon “Da Maynman” Maynard.


LeVon "Da Maynman" Maynard


In a world dominated by media coverage focusing on the fighters who have established themselves or are a part of a large organization such as the UFC or EliteXC, many of the fighters who are up and coming are forgotten. The "major" sports focus on the rookies and potential draft picks, often times spending weeks writing full scale interviews and articles in order to enhance their possibilities of making it. Why should the world of MMA be any different? This week 411mania's John Curry sat down with LeVon "the Maynman" Maynard to discuss his World Kickboxing Association's National Championship, his MMA life and his famous IFL tryout. More importantly, we discuss the man himself and the struggles with becoming a household name in the world of MMA and man boobs. At the end of this article hopefully Levon will become that household name; he has the personality, the training, the physique and most importantly the dedication to the sport to achieve his goals. Just remember you heard the name LeVon "The Maynman" Maynard here first.


411ManiaMr. Maynard thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to 411mania. You are an up and coming fighter who has gained a lot of attention from many different fighting organizations. Would you introduce yourself to our readers about what you did before your MMA career?

LeVon Maynard "Absolutely, but first let me take the time to thank you and the fans of 411mania.com for taking the time to talk to me. I really appreciate it. Before I got in to the world of MMA I worked with computers in some capacity or another. I loved computers growing up and spent a lot of time dissecting them and putting them back together. Basically, I was just trying to figure out how they worked. After high school I got my Associates Degree from ITT Tech School in Computer Technology. . Since then I have worked as a phone support technician for Alltel and am currently employed on a government contract working in Information Technology at Langley Air Force base."

411Mania So why the change from working on computers to getting kicked in the head?

LM "*laughs*I am actually trying to get away from computers. I love the sport of MMA. The competition is a phenomenal feeling. I just want to be a part of it as much as possible. I grew up in martial arts so this is just a way for me to do what I love and continue putting my training to use."

411Mania Speaking of your martial arts training, what training do you have?

LM "I have trained in Karate, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Combat Submission Wrestling, and American Boxing. I have a blue belt in BJJ, a blue belt in Wing Chun Kung Fu, and a purple belt in Kenpo Karate. I am a pretty well rounded fighter, I think, and I am always trying to just get better at my game so I can be the best I can be."



411Mania One of the most famous stories about you regards your try-out with the IFL. I remember hearing something about you, your girlfriend and a truck. What happened?

LM "*Laughs* The way you word that leaves a lot of possibilities open for what could have happened *laughs*. The real story is my girlfriend and I drove up to New York for IFL tryouts. In order to save money we parked my truck in the parking lot and set up a kind of makeshift bed in the back of the truck. We got there at about two or three in the morning and the tryouts were about seven so why get a hotel. Sleeping in the truck was a lot more cramped than I thought it would be but it was cool just to be there to try out. I ended up making the final list of approved candidates to fight for the IFL. It was just an awesome experience."

411Mania Based on all the information I have reviewed regarding your tryouts it seems that at the end of the day your name was the one coming out of everyone's mouth at the IFL. "

LM "Yeah I guess so. At the end of the tryouts I had interviews with about five or six different media agents . Then there were guys just coming up to me asking what my background was, what my training was and just all kinds of other questions. I got to be honest, I felt like a superstar *laughs*. "

411ManiaIt sounds like everything was working out in your favor, so what happened with the IFL?

LM "Well, the structure of the IFL is different now than it was when I tried out. I got a call in December. They wanted to set me up with a fight with Rory Markham out of Pat Miletich's camp, whose record is like 12 wins and 2 losses. I was game for the fight as I'll fight anyone anytime. The problem was the Athletic Commission deemed me an amateur fighter and would not grant me the fight. So that fight just kind of disappeared. I was upset but that is the nature of the business."

411Mania You were the World Kickboxing Association national champion in 2006 and finished your career in WKA with an 8-1 record. How has the WKA prepared you for your MMA career?

LM "It was a great experience for me. I fought a lot of tough fighters and competitors which prepared me for fighting anyone. I feel like I have been doing it for ages. I think it gives me an advantage in my stand up game and helped me with my discipline. It was just a great experience that I am truly grateful for having."

411Mania Can you tell us what your daily routine for training is? What do you spend most of your time working on? Do you work while you train or are there some sort of miracle life where someone helps you? *laughs*

LM "*laughs* It's a little difficult right now because I work third shift so when I am coming home and sleeping everyone is getting out and about. Basically, I work thirds, come home and sleep until about 1 or 2, eat and then head to the gym where I work on different things on different days. I work on my cardio, my boxing, just doing conditioning exercises, hitting the heavy bags, the iron rings, pulling sleds, flipping tires, just do everything that a fighter has to in order to be the best fighter I can. I train six days a week at this man. *laughs*"

411Mania In a world of Icemen and Rampage and Little Evils why don't you have a nickname like the Viper or something?



LM "To be honest with you, it's hard to find a good name that hasn't already been taken. Everyone has been calling me the "Maynman" lately, kind of a play on my last name so I think I stick with that."
411Mania How hard is it as an up and coming fighter to make a name for yourself. I know you have had a lot of help by your showing at the IFL tryouts, how many doors has that opened for you?
LM "You know to be honest with you, it kind of sucks. Even after the IFL I have been having a hard time getting fights set up that actually happen. A lot of people have been dropping out at the last minute or canceling our matches. So it's tough. I am just trying to get some competition in order to build up my record so I can get the professional matches without the commissions denying my fights. Don't get me wrong, sometimes you have your doubts about your decision to be in MMA but I love the sport with all my heart and I'll always stick with it. I just wish people would fight me."

411Mania So when was your last fight and how did it go?

LM "I fought Jay R. Palmer in February at Combat Sports Challenge 23. The guy had a lot of experience with like over 40 MMA fights. I mean he fought in Shooto. I ended up beating him with an arm bar submission like two and a half minutes into the first round. The win felt great. I am definitely looking forward to fighting again soon."





411Mania Have you thought about taking the Ultimate Fighter route?"

LM "Definitely. The next tryout they have I am going to be there. Hopefully it's for a weight class close to mine."

411Mania Now, you aren't going to be one of those pussy fighters who cries about your girlfriend and wants to leave are you, if you get on the show?"

LM "*laughs* Hell No! My girlfriend and I were talking about that and she said she would kill me if I ever did that. So the answer if definitely no. I am not going to waste an opportunity like that if it is presented to me."

411Mania I read that you grew up in a military family. How do you think that upbringing helps you in the world of MMA?

LM "It taught me discipline, certainly. I think it also got me used to traveling a lot. I think it's good to have as much knowledge of the world and as many experiences as possible. I think it also prepared me for being okay with talking to complete strangers. I am a social guy who has no fear of giving interviews or just making friends. I owe a lot of that to growing up in the military."

411Mania One of the things I always ask in an interview regards submissions. Since you come from a kickboxing background which doesn't focus on submissions, what is the most painful submission you have had put on you in either training or during a fight? Do you have a submission that you are looking forward to using?

LM ""Well fortunately, thus far, I haven't been submitted in my fights (knock on wood).. I guess if I had to choose one that I know of it would have to be the heel hook or a leg lock. Those don't tickle. *laughs* The one I am really looking forward to using is the flying triangle. That one is just sweet and makes for a good highlight reel. *laughs*"

411Mania Tell us do you have any superstitions when it comes to your fights?

LM " I know it's pretty gross but I don't wash my fight shorts. *laughs*I like to keep them stained up for my fights. I haven't lost a fight since I started wearing these shorts so I don't want to was away any good luck I have."

411Mania How do you celebrate after winning a fight?

LM " We normally head to this place in Virginia Beach called the Village Inn. It's kind of like a 24 hour IHOP. The people there are really good to me. My friends and family and I go there and they hook us up with a table and sometimes a free meal. We just have a good time just hanging out there."

411Mania What's next for LeVon "The Maynman" Maynard?

LM "I'm just trying to set up some fights in May. Some on the east coast and maybe some out west. I am willing to fight anyone so I will just keep training so I'll be ready to go when I get that call."

411Mania What is the one aspect of your game that you are trying to improve the most on and why?

LM " I think I really want to improve my aggressiveness in my fights. I am a methodical, always thinking kind of fighter. I think sometimes I am not really aggressive enough or expressive enough in my fights so I am trying to just improve that. I am really working to reach my peak conditioning level too so I can go as many rounds a necessary in a fight."

411Mania Who have you been training with and how has that been helping you become a more rounded fighter?

LM " I am currently training with Mateo De Los Reyes at Global Martial Arts Academy. He's trained directly under many well known names such as Dan Inosanto, Arjan Chai Sirisute, Erik Paulson, and Royler Gracie. I have trained with Greg Nelson, Erik Paulson, and Arjan Chai when they have come down to give seminars. As a matter of fact, Erik Paulson cornered me during my last fight. I am looking to do some training with Jens Pulver when he comes to Richmond after his fight with Urijah Faber. I really have a lot of great guys who have a lot of training in different styles to help me become the best fighter I can"



Levon with Sean Sherk

411Mania What the first thing you're going to do when you get your first big check?

LM " I don't know. I save a lot of my money but I think I'll probably take my girl out to a nice dinner and maybe get her something nice like a Mac book. She has always been there for me so I think I'll go with the Mac book which will help her out as she is a graphic designer."

411Mania Before I let you get back to sparring and training, what is the one thing you want our readers to know about LeVon "the Maynman" Maynard

LM "I guess I would say I am a humble kind of guy. I am really approachable because I don't act like I am really any better or tougher than anyone. I don't talk crap about fighters or fights as I let my skills do the talking."

Quick Hits


411ManiaWorst job you ever had?

LM "Food Service worker at a pizza restaurant…I hated cleaning up after other people. Sometimes you like I don't think that was even on our menu. *laughs*"

411ManiaHarder on your body Cutting weight or sleeping in your truck?

LM "The truck was really cramped. It made it a little harder to work out the kinks."

411ManiaWhat is something no one would guess about you?

LM I enjoy listening to Japanese Rock and Roll even though I can't understand a word they are saying."

411ManiaDo you have a guilty pleasure?

LM "Asian women….but don't tell my girlfriend *laughs*"

411ManiaWho do you look up to and why?

LM "I look up to Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, Kid Yamamoto. Their spirit and drive and dedication to being the best at what they do. Top notch people. I admire them. They are dedicated to their art and increasing their capacity with fighting and martial arts all together."

411ManiaFavorite Singer?

LM "Eminem"

411ManiaFavorite day off activity?

LM " Kicking back watching movies or going to the movie theaters, playing my PS3, Call of Duty 4."

411ManiaFavorite movie?

LM " Drunken Master 2, great movie."

411Mania Toughest sparring partner?

LM Rich Ostrum. I call him the "Filipino Incredible Hulk." He's got the biggest muscular man-boobs you will ever see. *laughs*"

411ManiaMr. Maynard, I want to thank you for taking time to introduce yourself to our readers and we wish you the best of luck in the future. Before we go is there anyone you want to give a shout out to?

LM " Yeah I want to thank you for taking the time to interview me first of all. I also want to thank everyone who has supported me, my friends, family, coaches, classmates, 5oz of Pain, Ecko, Critical Fight Gear, nosubmit.com, I'd like to give a shout out to my good friend/cameraman/manager Daryl Craddolph who I probably wouldn't be fighting in MMA if it weren't for him. And last but not least my girlfriend that has given me a lot of support and went through all the trouble to put together my website www.levonmaynard.com"


A highlight reel of LeVon "Da Maynman" Maynard

Note: Since my interview with LeVon he has had a fight in which he lost controversially. I have spoken with several sources to decipher exactly what took place. During LeVon's fight with Doug Gordon, LeVon's contact came out. The ref noticed it, somehow and reached down to pick up the contact lens. As the ref reached down to pick it up Gordon hit LeVon and knocked him to his knees. When the ref rose up again he saw LeVon on his knees and immediately called the fight declaring it a TKO. Neither side was happy with the decision and there are talks of a rematch.