After losing to the up-and-coming Chris Weidman at middleweight, Demian Maia feels a move to the welterweight division will be exactly what he needs to be considered a UFC title contender again. In order to prove he’s made the right decision, though, Maia will have to overcome a tough test in Dong Hyun Kim in his first bout at 170 pounds.
Kim was also on his way toward title contention before suffering a loss to now-interim champion Carlos Condit in July 2011. However, after bouncing back with a victory over Sean Pierson, Kim is prepared to put himself back on a winning streak at Saturday’s UFC 148.
This bout between Maia and Kim is one that could quickly catapult the winner into the mix for a title shot, so let’s take a look at which 170-pound fighter has a better chance of picking up the victory.