I had a great time and conversation with Maynard years ago at the Axis of Justice show at the Avalon in LA. I was backstage and he was off in a corner, and a bunch of groupie scenesters were backstage trying to talk to him (much to his dismay). Some backstage security members got rid of them, and left pretty much an empty hallway with him there, and me (with a small group of people) on the other side. Him and I locked eyes and did that head nod thing, and I could tell that he was like "oh great, another fan type"... I approached him and said "hey I don't mean to bother you, but, what's it like training with Rickson Gracie?"... When I tell you, his eyes lit up like Christmas and we spoke for 15 minutes about Jiu Jitsu training, the LA BJJ scene, Rickson..... It was incredible. He was so engaged about it, and was excited to talk about it. He was performing a few numbers that evening and his management came and got him, but he was the nicest dude.
