UF 214: Demian Maia på submission är ett grymt spel enligt Vice

UFC 214 is finally here! Three title bouts, five amazing fights on the main card, and the rematch between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones… What else can we ask for? I´ve chosen two fights that I see a good potential in where the odds are good.

Jimi Manuwa vs. Volkan Ozdemir

Jimi Manuwa (17-2) is on a ”kill streak”. Member of Stockholm’s Allstars Gym looks unstoppable. The only two guys who managed to stop him are multiple title challengers Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Johnson. Other than that, Manuwa ”scored” 15 wins just by TKO/KO. In his last two fights Jimi knocked out Ovince St. Preux in the second, and Corey Anderson in the first round. Volkan Oezdemir has to be very careful not to end up with his face on the canvas like did many of Manuwa’s opponents before.

When it comes to the Volkan Ozedemir (14-1), a former pro kickboxer who managed to fight for the No.1 title challenger spot after only two fights in the UFC… Well, that says a lot about this Swiss fighter. He, just like Manuwa, has ended most of his wins by TKO/KO, which means that this fight probably won’t last long.

Here we have a fight between two knockout artists and probably two future UFC Champions. I will have to go with Manuwa this time, simply because he has fought in ”bigger” wars and better fighters than Volkan did.

Prediction: Jimi Manuwa, R1, KO.

Tyron Woodley vs. Demian Maia

Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley (17-3-1) in his two last fights had a draw in a title fight against Stephen Thompson, and then in the rematch he managed to take a win by decision. He is not a fan favourite and many would like to see him in a defeat by the hands of the submission artist, Brazilian Damian Maia (25-6), but that is easier to say than to do.

Woodley is an extremely powerful wrestler, with deadly punches. Just remember how he knocked out Lawler for the WV title. He is an amazing athlete, very fast, with high fighting IQ.

Damian Maia is on a seven fights winning streak in the -77kg division. His BJJ game is one of, if not the best, in the whole MMA world. He makes the best MMA fighters look like an amateurs when they fight him on the ground.

Tyron will have to be very careful because if Damian takes just a Tyron’s ”little finger”, he will be able to get into the position to make some nasty submission. Of course, Maia can not compete with Woodley in a stand up fight, so it is natural to expect Damian to take the fight to the ground as soon as possible. What will happen then, we need to wait and see.

Prediction: Maia, R4, submission.