Since losing to UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 112, Demian Maia has never looked better.
The Brazilian, who is currently riding a two-fight win streak, will compete against Silva’s fellow teammate, Mark Munoz at UFC 131.
While speaking to TATAME.com, Maia opened up on his opponent and said he is training all aspects of the fight so that he is prepared for any situation during the bout.
“With me, he’ll only have two options: or he’ll want to strike, or, in case he wants to take me down, he’ll use his ground and pound game, like he always does,” Maia said to TATAME.com.
“I have to train and be prepared for anything.”
Known primarily for his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills, Maia has been working extensively on his weaknesses, such as wrestling and boxing. Evolving in others parts of his game has made Maiamore confident in his approach to his bout with Munoz, who is a national wrestling champion.
Maia said he acknowledges his opponent’s wrestling credentials, which why he believes Munoz is a greater challenge than his previous opponents.
“I guess it’ll be bigger because he’s coming from two wins and he had did a pretty tough fight with (Yushin) Okami, and despite he lost, he still is one of the best.”
The win could potential earn the Brazilian a title shot in the near future, but he said he is only focused on Munoz.
And in hopes of earning his third consecutive win, Maia said he expects fans to view him as a different fighter than before.
“They can expect that I’m more mature than I was and that I have more weapons,” he said.
“I have some new weapons, and I hope I can use it on the bout.”
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