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[rodzilla1988]

"I see myself ready to fight for the belt. I would go at Anderson and it would give him the chance of knocking me out or give me the opportunity to finish the fight. That’s what I expect. I’m not saying I will win, but I will fight to end the fight before the judges decision. I want to do an aggressive fight and expose myself more. The UFC were waiting on the result of Anderson-Thales match to see what to do with me. They told me they were planning to give me the chance in August but because of their performance the UFC decided not put Silva in a main event very soon. Then they matched me and Nate Marquardt to find out the next challenger for the belt."

Top undefeated middleweight contender Demain Maia looks to assure skeptics that he would not be content with a decision win over the middleweight champion, which is currently none other than Anderson Silva. His remarks come on the heels of Thales Leites’ uninspiring losing performance against “The Spider” at UFC 97: “Redemption” last month. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt seemed more concerned with surviving the 185-pound contest rather than winning it, which did not go over well with the fans or UFC brass. In fact, it prompted UFC matchmaker Joe Silva to book Anderson against a light heavyweight, Forrest Griffin, at UFC 102 on August 8, rather than have him defend his title against another ground specialist such as Maia. He’ll more than likely earn a crack at the belt if he can topple Nate Marquardt at UFC 102 at the end of August, but he’ll have to get in line behind the winner of the fight between Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping. And he can thank Mr. Leites for essentially delaying his opportunity at championship glory … whenever that may be.

Demian Maia: I would not go to the judges scorecards against Anderson Silva at UFC blog for UFC news, results, videos, rumors, fights, pics and tickets — MMAmania.com

I'd love to see their fight but I just don't see him getting Anderson to the ground.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

If this bout goes to the ground, we'll have a brand new MW champion.

If Anderson'll keep this standing, I think he'd be in good sitting, but Maia is just so freaky on the ground it's kinda ridiculous.

[Masscore]

After the way Maia just tossed Shonnen to the mat like a ragdoll in their fight. I think he could easily get Anderson Silva to the ground. And from there it would not be a matter of if, but a matter of seconds.

[TheKidInside]

Yeah, I don't know how he pulled that off with Shonnen the guy was dominating Miller in their last fight and that kid is no joke on the ground or in the clinch. So, I'm pretty sure if travis lutter and thales leites went to the ground with Silva so could Maia. I said a while ago that an exceptional BJJ fighter could and would beat Silva.

[goodtimes]

I think Silva's BJJ is kind of underrated, I think he can hold his own against Maia on the ground.

[Repenter]

maia fights like aoki... he won't hesitate to jump guard or pull the brazilian backpack in order to get the fight to the ground. he's far more resourceful than leites is in my book... and i think he would beat anderson.

[Masscore]

Originally Posted by goodtimes

I think Silva's BJJ is kind of underrated, I think he can hold his own against Maia on the ground.

Anderson Silva has great BJJ, but Maia is on a complete other level when it comes to BJJ. Its like comparing USC to the Pittsburgh steelers. Is USC amazing, yea they are, but against the Steelers they would get smashed.

[goodtimes]

Originally Posted by Masscore

Anderson Silva has great BJJ, but Maia is on a complete other level when it comes to BJJ. Its like comparing USC to the Pittsburgh steelers. Is USC amazing, yea they are, but against the Steelers they would get smashed.

The only fighter Maia has fought that has a solid BJJ base is MacDonald, and Silva is much better on the ground then MacDonald. Maia is a great fighter, but he hasn't fought very high caliber opponents aside from Sonnen, who is known for having a weakness against subs. This upcoming fight with Marquardt I think will really show whether Maia has what it takes to fight Silva.

[fishy]

Originally Posted by goodtimes

This upcoming fight with Marquardt I think will really show whether Maia has what it takes to fight Silva.

I think you hit the nail on the head with that one...

[apatter8]

Originally Posted by goodtimes

The only fighter Maia has fought that has a solid BJJ base is MacDonald, and Silva is much better on the ground then MacDonald. Maia is a great fighter, but he hasn't fought very high caliber opponents aside from Sonnen, who is known for having a weakness against subs. This upcoming fight with Marquardt I think will really show whether Maia has what it takes to fight Silva.

You obviously haven't seen any of Maia's grappling matches