With Jake back at 170 this fight might be a possibility now. How do you guys see this fighting going? Both guys have amazing ground game with the edge going to Maia. With Maia's recent destruction of Fitch and previously Story he has a ton of momentum behind him.
Maia has outgrappled Sonnen who is a better wrestler and bigger guy than Shields. He has also outgrappled Jon Fitch and there's only one other person on this world who can say that. Personally I don't see what Shields brings to the table that Maia hasn't already seen.
In case of striking, you probably mean that Shields is even worse than Maia. The word "better" would just not sound appropriate to anyone's striking of those two as it's the comparative of "good"
Good question, but a very simple answer. Maia owns him, he takes this fight any way he wants. Aside from that Sheilds is dreadfully boring, and has looked horrible in the UFC, IMO.
If he can own Fitch, he can certainly beat Shields.
Or if Shields furiously defended TDs it would be a terrible kickboxing match with Maia winning anyway. Even though Shields outstruck GSP for 2 rounds his standup is some of the worst in the UFC.
This is a gross match up. Maia utilizes BJJ in MMA better than anyone on the planet right now. I don't think there is a worse match up for shields. Shields strength will be overcome and he'll have to resort to standing up with Maia (but we all know if Maia can take fitch down, Jake's TDD is more than likely not holding up) who although is probably one of the least dynamic striker I've ever seen in recent times, he sometimes manages to do well on the feet. Shields for whatever reason will never be even a mid tier striker.
I'd be cheering for Maia but I don't see any reason to just call it for him now. Jake is bigger,stronger and a better grappler than Fitch if he gets top position it will be an interesting match.
If it stayed on the feet Jake has the advantage. Maia isn't going to hurt him.
it seems like nobody can roll with Maia now. But it also seemed like nobody could take an H-bomb.
Ol' jake won that fight.^^
...and it's not like Maia has never had a bad night where he looked terrible.
Would have called it a fairly even match up, with a slight edge to Maia, but after seeing Maia outfitch The Fitchster, i've got Maia all day everyday. Better striking (Maia's striking is actually decent, he just lacks the explosiveness), and just seems like a wrestler's nightmare these days.
I've never once been impressed with Shields. He lost to Kampmann in my eyes. He did zero damage to him and had top control a bit longer. Didn't threaten GSP at all, got Ko'd by ellenberger. And his fight with akiyamer was another snoozer as was that terrible performance with Herman.
Maia is absolutly world class with his ground game... but it would be a huge mistake to underestimate Jakes pedigree...
And tbh I think Sheilds is slick enough to pull it off. I'm going with Jake. I think the fact that he uses his wrestling to agressivley set up subs with his BJJ is gonna pay off huge if this fight happens.
I don't see how Shields wins this. He's not going to outstrike or submit Maia. And considering what Maia did to Fitch in his last fight, I don't see Jake's wrestling helping him. Would still love to see this fight though, it'll get Jake closer to that magic three loss in a row category so he can be cut.
Given that Shields is a smaller Fitch with less takedowns, Maia would wreck his face. I dare say he'd do it easily, too. Maia is phenomenal from everywhere on the ground, Jake is only great in top control. Maia's strength means he can throw Jake where he wants, the absence of a stand up game from Jake means he won't be able to stop him from doing it with threat of that, either. Maia 9 out of 10 times.
Maia vs. Kampmann would be the fight to make.
Or maybe
Maia vs. Hendricks/Ellenberger loser
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