View Poll Results: Your prediction

Old school fan · 01-28-2013, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrappleRetarded

If Munoz can completely neutralise Maia's grappling, then so can Fitch. I expect Fitch to win a fairly competitive, but ultimately dominant decision.

I could be wrong but I had the impression that Munoz had the advantage because of raw strength rather than technique.

jonnyg4508 · 01-28-2013, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edlavis88

Erik Silva got fitch's back twice in their fight, and got close with a RNC. Fitch undoubtedly has great sub defense but if he lets Maia get in the same positions as Silva did he will get subbed.

I agree with this. And I concede that Fitch is very good with sub defense, positioning, staying calm. But doesn't mean you take on one of the best BJJ guys in MMA in his ow world.

I'm interested to see how it plays out if Fitch does try the ground.

But I'm not that excited for this because more than likely it turns into a bad striking contest. Maybe Maia can get Fitch to the mat.

**IcemanCometh** · 01-28-2013, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrappleRetarded

If Munoz can completely neutralise Maia's grappling, then so can Fitch. I expect Fitch to win a fairly competitive, but ultimately dominant decision.

You have to factor into that fight that Maia wasn't training his ground game/grappling at the time. He was training almost exclusively striking. This Maia has gone back to what brought him to the game and shows a marked in improvement. Fitch's sub defense IMO is overrated-he was in bad positions with Eric, Diego almost got him with a guillotine in there fight.

Edit: I really need to see Penn/Fitch see if John was in any bad spots in that fight.

rebonecrusher · 01-28-2013, 11:41 AM

Very interesting match up here. I'm curious to see where this fight will take place. I expect to see a little bit of everything. I think Fitch will edge him out in each of the rounds for a UD win.

**St.Paul Guy** · 01-28-2013, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IcemanCometh

You have to factor into that fight that Maia wasn't training his ground game/grappling at the time. He was training almost exclusively striking. This Maia has gone back to what brought him to the game and shows a marked in improvement. Fitch's sub defense IMO is overrated-he was in bad positions with Eric, Diego almost got him with a guillotine in there fight.

Edit: I really need to see Penn/Fitch see if John was in any bad spots in that fight.

He escaped arguably the most compromised position one could possibly be in. BJ had his back and had his arm trapped with his leg... Jon escaped.

The more I think about the more confident I am that Jon will win. He'll get top position and maul Maia for 15 minutes.

**TheLyotoLegion** · 01-28-2013, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IcemanCometh

You have to factor into that fight that Maia wasn't training his ground game/grappling at the time. He was training almost exclusively striking. This Maia has gone back to what brought him to the game and shows a marked in improvement. Fitch's sub defense IMO is overrated-he was in bad positions with Eric, Diego almost got him with a guillotine in there fight.

Edit: I really need to see Penn/Fitch see if John was in any bad spots in that fight.

BJ took him down and got his back, not an easy position to escape from but it should be interesting to see how a guy like Maia whose a lot bigger than BJ does if he can get it.

**BrianRClover** · 01-28-2013, 02:24 PM

Say what you will about either of these guys, the fact is, this is a very interesting fight. We have arguably the best submission artist in the UFC Vs. the best submission defender in the UFC.

Personally, I think Maia is going to show the world what the rest of us already know... he IS on a entirely different level when it comes to BJJ.

**SM33** · 01-28-2013, 02:35 PM

I'm with the guys who reference the Erick Silva fight. Silva had multiple CLOSE submission attempts, Fitch likely gets submitted if this hit's the ground consistently.

I think the fight will go to mat at some point, Fitch is hugely confident in his top game and Maia will welcome the takedown, whoever gets it. Neither men too dangerous on the feet, or entertaining for that matter.

Not a fight to bet on, I like Maia in this due to him being tenacious and always looking to finish.

Old school fan · 01-28-2013, 02:40 PM

IMO Fitch getting so close to get submitted and still escaping just confirms how good his sub defense is.
It's harder to escape a tough position than never get there in the first place.

**SM33** · 01-28-2013, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old school fan

IMO Fitch getting so close to get submitted and still escaping just confirms how good his sub defense is.
It's harder to escape a tough position than never get there in the first place.

Erick was exhausted and losing confidence, so for me, the fact he obtained those positions says more than Jon escaping.