Maia would have to be the favourite but I think Masvidal has a decent chance to pull an upset here. It's a really good matchup imo.
I like Maia here. Masvidal's going to have to get to him early, because once he's in Maia's world it's probably game over.
Maia isn't most people man! If Masvidal wants to win this he needs to avoid the ground at all costs, Maia is capable of subbing anyone at 155-185.
Maia is the best welterweight in the world imo. He's got his mma bjj on point now. He's a huge welterweight too.
I could say the same, Maia needs to get this fight to the floor and transition into bjj and hold him down or sun him cuz masvidal is THE BEST technician in mma on the feet and his wrestling is leagues better then maias. Jorge is a superior athlete and a superior fighter period. You think if a guy like Rory could keep it on the feet with his very average boxing, few kicks, and average wrestling what is a silent killer like masvidal gonna do to him? He's a robot on the feet. Only way Maia wins is by sub. He WILL NOT keep Jorge down. All these setup fights for Maia he won in a row. Guys with limited power and tech on the feet and guys with no wrestling. Do you think the UFC wants Maia as the champ? Why the fkuc didn't Dana sign Ben askren? He's a boring ass fighter. A one dimensional guy(Maia) jits, will not do **** to the most well rounded fighter in the game!
Maia has a good shot here if he can take him down, neutralise his wrestling and lock in a sub. More and more fighters who train wrestling train specific submission wrestling now which makes it even harder for BJJ guys cos it's not just losing position they have to worry about any more. But the mat is the only way Maia wins this imo and i like his chances.
I agree 100%. Taking it to the ground is his only chance of winning, but it's the most likely scenario. Maia gets him down and secures the sub in rd 1 or 2.
I think Woodley is a terrible matchup for him... Maia's Achilles heel has always been power wrestlers who can bang, Woodley fits that mold perfectly. I'd lean towards Woodley stopping him in 1-2.
Thompson is the only guy who can come close I'd day... That's assuming Woodley stays disciplined, he's definitely the kind of guy who could fall off the ladder simply because his ego gets the best of him and he overlooks a challenger. Barring that... He'll probably be on top for a while.
