Author: Trent Reinsmith

Bleacher Report’s Jason Schielke:

For years, Demian Maia (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) has been a mainstay at the top of the UFC middleweight division.

After arriving in the promotion, Maia went 6-1, defeating the likes of Ed Herman, Jason MacDonald, and Chael Sonnen before he was awarded a shot at reigning Anderson Silva.

 

His battle against Silva at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi will go down as one of the most lackluster title bouts in UFC history. A few months after the fight, Maia went on HDNet’s Inside MMA to tell the fans his side of the story.

 

Maia has moved on to go undefeated in his two bouts since the fight against Silva, defeating Mario Miranda and Kendall Grove by decision.

 

This Saturday, Maia will be looking to run his current winning streak up to three when he takes on the up-and-coming prospect Mark Munoz (10-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC)

 

“I have a lot of respect for Mark Munoz,” Maia told Bleacherreport.com/mma in an exclusive interview. “I think he is a great fighter and a very nice guy.”

 

When you compete at the top of the middleweight division, Maia recognizes that there is no room for error.

Bleacher Report’s Ron Jayson Timbang:

“Speed kills.” Ask anyone in the sports of boxing who will win between a fighter who has fast hands and someone who possesses power but lacks speed, and you will often get the former as the answer. 

If this will apply in the upcoming title-eliminator match between former title contender Shane Carwin and upcoming superstar Junior dos Santos, then it is much likely that the Brazilian will take the victory, as he is known to be the faster fighter.

Just take a look at “Cigano’s” last six fights in the UFC, and you’ll find out how he managed to win by out-striking notable stand-up fighters known for their power: Fabricio Werdum, Stefan Struve, Mirco Flipovic, Gilbert Yvel, Gabriel Gonzaga and Roy Nelson—all of which ended with a finish except for the last one.

In dos Santos’ fight with Nelson at UFC 117, he managed to out-point the former IFL heavyweight champion who is known for his knockout power. Nelson tried to land power shots during the fight but was overwhelmed with the speed that dos Santos possesses.

Even though “Cigano” had not managed to end the fight with a finish, he had still done enough to earn a unanimous decision by turning “the Big Country” into a punching bag.

Meanwhile, Shane Carwin can brag about his own record of knockout wins over four of his last five opponents in the UFC. Nonetheless, none of those fighters possessed the same striking skills as dos Santos, with the only notable ones being Frank Mir and Gabriel Gonzaga—two fighters who are not even classified as  “pure strikers.”

Bleacher Report’s Chris Ternate:

Bleacher Report’s Andrew Mahlmann:

When asked about former opponent Brock Lesnar‘s struggle with divurticulitis, UFC 131‘s Shane Carwin said on this week’s media call, “My thoughts are with Brock right now, that he is able to make a full recovery…hopefully Brock will recover and we can meet again.”

It is a compassion and respect that Carwin apparently has for all of his fellow competitors.

“Everytime I fight I pray for both fighters to get through it injury free.”

Just because you honor your opponent does not mean you cannot go to war with them. Shane Carwin certainly does. 12 of his 13 career opponents he has finished in the first round.

It is an admirable quality for such a prominent fighter on the UFC roster.

On June 11th Shane Carwin will face red hot contender Junior dos Santos in a matchup of the two most explosive knockout artists in the UFC heavyweight division.

Neither man has ever been knocked out before, but the expectation is for someone to win via spectacular knockout in this collision.