Demain Maia is a better fit against Anderson Silva
Middleweight Demian Maia is getting back into the Octagon to replace the injured Vitor Belfort. Maia will be fighting Anderson Silva for the Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight belt at UFC 112.
UFC.com is reporting that the injury to Belfort -- who underwent emergency surgery on his left shoulder earlier this week -- has gotten worse during his training.
Adding Maia is a good fit in a number of ways. UFC 112 is being held on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Maia is an Abu Dhabi grappling champion, so he should have the crowd behind him. He is also a five-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, so he matches up well with Silva on the ground. Maia must take the fight to the ground and try and remain there, because Silva has the best stand-up game in the business.
I believe Silva will still win this fight before the third round.
UFC.com is reporting that the injury to Belfort -- who underwent emergency surgery on his left shoulder earlier this week -- has gotten worse during his training.
Adding Maia is a good fit in a number of ways. UFC 112 is being held on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Maia is an Abu Dhabi grappling champion, so he should have the crowd behind him. He is also a five-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, so he matches up well with Silva on the ground. Maia must take the fight to the ground and try and remain there, because Silva has the best stand-up game in the business.
I believe Silva will still win this fight before the third round.
Kevin Richardson has been a fan of mixed martial arts competition ever since UFC 3, when 600-pound sumo wrestler Emmanuel Yarborough was beaten by Keith Hackney. Kevin will cover the world of MMA — in Baltimore, nationally and internationally. He plans to take readers into the locker rooms and MMA schools, where they'll hear from local fighters and trainers. If you have a news tip or suggestions for the blog, please 
Comments
First of I agree to this extent, With Belfort getting hurt Maia Is a good fit to fill in, but as far as Better fit Belfort is one of the most dangerous fighters around, he came in to the ufc a teen and dominated vets like Tank who was at their prime! Second after a string of bad luck and health issues VItor has just started to get his game back! His stand up was the best hands down! yes I know I said "was" But all it takes is one punch from the Phenoms hands and you go to sleep!
Posted by: Kevin | February 13, 2010 2:18 PM
I want to see Sonnen and Silva. Considering Maia got knocked out in less than 21 seconds, Maia's chin is very suspect. Anderson should drop him easily in the first round maybe even first minute ala James Irvin.
I'm looking forward to seeing Chael fight the winner. He has taken his fight game to another level.
Posted by: Ballz Mahoney | February 13, 2010 3:23 PM
Maia won't last 3 minutes. His standup skills are rudimentary at best.
Lousy matchup.
Posted by: fishfryer | February 14, 2010 11:33 AM
I mean sure Demian Maia's stand up game pales into comparison of Silva's but I'm pretty sure he learned from his mistake from an embarrasing KO loss to the heavy handed Nate Marquardt.
However, the fundementals of striking aren't exactly the hardest things to learn in MMA. Demian will obviously be improved going into the fight.
With all this being said, I don't believe this with be another Leites-like fight. Maia will fight hard with a more improved stand up game from his previous fight and will indefinitely prove his critics wrong but I still see Silva winning despite of this however. Just not in the way he usually finishes fights.
Unanimous decision in favor of Silva.
Posted by: Ryan | March 20, 2010 1:25 AM