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[Cat--Smasher]

Jon Fitch refocused, ready to meet Demian Maia - Five Ounces of Pain : Five Ounces of Pain

“I think the biggest thing was just focus; eliminating too many thoughts and too many concerns about what was taking place in the moment. Whether it was that one individual fight, that one individual training camp, or that one individual day of training – you can’t start thinking about what is this next fight going to bring me? What’s going to happen after this? Who am I going to fight next? All those things, I think I had too much going on in my mind to be really focused on being myself, and the best version of me that I could be for the fight,” said Fitch in a recent interview with the UFC’s website. “I didn’t really change much about my style or whatever, I think I just gave myself more focus for the individual fight, and that allowed me to be the best me that I could for that fight. I think focus brings another level of performance out of me, and I don’t think that next level of performance that I’m currently operating at will be something that people will be dissatisfied with.”

Fitch is certainly smart to set his sights solely on Maia considering the Brazilian’s success at welterweight so far since a solid run at 185 pounds. The 17-4 submission specialist is 2-0 in the division with a first-frame finish of Rick Story in his latest outing.

“I get excited for challenges like this, and this is definitely a big challenge,” confessed Fitch. “He’s a very dangerous opponent in areas where I’m strong, so it’s going to be a very fun test. He’s definitely very tricky on the ground; he’s got a slow, methodical ground game that is very smooth. He’s able to transition very smoothly into submissions and his control positions. He’s not super-vicious with ground-and-pound; he may grind and control you into the submission, but he may not do a lot of damage along the way.”

[Qball1974]

Ready or lay on?

[Bork_Lazer]

I cant wait for this fight! Wonder if Fitch can lay on Maia or if his BJJ is too good for that.

[Rise]

Fitch seems pretty confident in his submission defense so hopefully this goes to the ground. Maia will make him work there so he can't just fight for control and winning on position.

Hopefully neither of them want to try and test the others striking out not really interested in seeing that.

[macewen]

fitch was active as hell in his last fight. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope he comes with the same spark here.

[MickeyKnox]

Watch out, broke Fitch is coming back!

[MIZjitsZOU]

Can't wait for this fight. Hope they spend a lot of time on the ground. Fitch may be unchokeable, but if Maia puts him that neck crank he did to Story then you have to tap. I am really big on Maia at 170, so it will be nice to see him tested against someone who is elite at that weight (I think Kim is elite but that was a freak finish.)

[Kimbo> Rampage]

should be a good fight... Fitch's sub defense will really be tested in this fight... Standing I give a very slight edge to Fitch, but it will be close to a wash...

I could see either winning, but Fitch will likely win the UD.

[rough-n-tumble]

Originally Posted by macewen

fitch was active as hell in his last fight. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope he comes with the same spark here.

If he comes out like he did against Silva it will be interesting to see how Maia handles the pace. This should be a good fight with a great ground war.

[TheDoucheyWun]

If he were smart he would use his wrestling to keep this fight standing and not to be a blanket.

Say what you will about NCAA Div 1 all American wrestling being able to trump a BJJ black belt...But noway in hell anyone blankets Maia for 3 rounds without being subbed.