Maxim Grishin

Nobody hands you anything at light heavyweight. Maxim Grishin — "Maximus" to fight fans — has built a 32-10 record the hard way, one fight at a time since leaving Russia's regional scene.

The record shows a bit of everything: knockouts (16), submissions (6), decisions (10). Well-rounded is an overused word; here it's just accurate. Add a 78" reach, and the puzzle gets harder still.

The last fight went to Philipe Lins (Decision - Unanimous) — a setback, and the interesting question is always what a fighter does with one.

He's 42 now. Fighters at this stage aren't building toward something; they're spending what's left, and that usually makes for the best fights.