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28/07/10 - Demian Maia predicts Sonnen to win by points
Former UFC number one contender Demian Maia has faced off with both middleweight champion Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen, so he is well-placed to remark on their UFC 117 clash, which takes place on August 7th in California, USA.
“I see Anderson with a higher percentage of chances to win but I also believe very much in Chael. I remember in his fight versus Nate Marquardt everyone said he was going to lose and I said he was dangerous," the Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert told Mano a Mano today in Brazil.
"I guess he got chances this time. He takes guys down well and has a good stand-up base. He will go towards Anderson to put him down to score points and win by decision”
But Maia is more thrilled about the heavyweight bout between Junior ‘Cigano’ dos Santos and Roy Nelson. The Brazilians have previously trained together and Maia is assured of the ground quality of his countrymate, an aspect still to be seen in the Octagon.
“I’m more heated for Junior’s fight against Roy Nelson. He’s a man who I train with and I am rooting for him so much. He’s a boxer but also has great jiu-jitsu. He’s a brown belt and can surprise anyone. Junior defeated two world champion black belts, Fabrício Werdum and Gabriel Napao, so I think there won’t be danger on the floor”.
On his way back to the top in division, Demian is set to square off with Alan Belcher at UFC Fight Night on 15th November 2010, an opponent he thinks will help him climb some spots in the MMA rankings.
“Belcher is an up-and-comer, the guy is getting around. It’s a good fight for me. He’s a technical fighter so it’s a great test. His ground game is good and he is a BJJ brown belt who competed in the world championship this year. Alan is good on the mat,” he says.
Edu Cruz
Mano a Mano,
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