One of the most important matchups on Saturday’s UFC 198 card from Brazil is a preliminary bout pitting Matt Brown against Demian Maia. This 170-pound showdown features two of the division’s top fighters who have yet to compete for the welterweight title. More importantly, it poses an interesting style matchup between an exceptional grappler and a dangerous striker.
Brown (20-13) nearly earned a welterweight title shot in 2014 after defeating Erick Silva in a thriller back at UFC Fight Night 40. The win marked the Ohio native’s seventh in a row and all signs pointed to him being the next contender. Unfortunately, he had to face Robbie Lawler who was fresh off a victory over division rival Jake Ellenberger. Lawler was extremely motivated and put his standup skills to the test against the always-durable TUF 7 veteran.
Lawler came away with a decision victory and Brown tasted defeat for the first time since 2011. The matchups didn’t come any easier for Brown as he took on former champion Johny Hendricks, who outworked Brown over three rounds with his wrestling as he took home a unanimous decision. Brown, 35, bounced back in his most recent fight, making short work of Tim Means at UFC 189 and earning his first submission victory since 2008. Brown now has the opportunity to take out Maia, who hasn’t lost a fight since 2014.
Maia (22-6) heads into this matchup on a four-fight win streak and has taken out the likes of rising contenders Neil Magny and Gunnar Nelson. Like Brown, the 38-year-old Maia was also close to a title shot after winning his first three welterweight fights after dropping down from the middleweight division. Maia stopped Dong Hyun-Kim and Rick Story then swept the scorecards against Jon Fitch. His momentum was halted when he dropped contentious split decision to former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields and followed that up with another decision loss, this time to Rory MacDonald. Since those two setbacks the Brazilian has been on an impressive run, taking out all four of his opponents who boast a combined 61-8-2 record. An impressive win over a seasoned veteran like Brown would make a strong case for Maia getting a title shot.
Stylistically Maia is one of the best ground specialists in the sport, while 12 of Brown’s 20 career victories have come by knockout/TKO. Brown has had one of the most remarkable career turnarounds in the UFC, nearly being released after losing four of five fights from 2010-2011. All of those losses during that period were by submission. In fact, of Brown’s 13 career losses, nine have come by tap out.
Conversely, Maia has only been stopped once in his career – a 2009 TKO setback to Nate Marquardt at UFC 102 – and has lost the other five of his fights by way of decision. In his last fight, Maia went toe-to-toe with one of the division’s best grapplers in the aforementioned Nelson and completely outclassed him in the three-round affair. In saying that, the Elevation Fight Team product Brown has worked tremendously on his takedown defence and ground game. If Brown can keep the fight standing, expect him to out strike or potentially knock out Maia. If Maia gets it to the canvas early, it could be a long night for Brown.
Outside of the upcoming title fight between champion Robbie Lawler and Tyron Woodley, which goes down at UFC 201, the UFC’s welterweight division couldn’t be more confusing. Carlos Condit lost a controversial decision to Lawler at UFC 195 and there is no word yet on what his next move will be. Then you have the upcoming 170-pound headliner between Rory MacDonald and Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson in Ottawa in June. This matchup on Saturday night could provide the UFC with its next welterweight title challenger.
