UFC Middleweight bout: Demian Maia vs. Kendall Grove
Odds: (-340 Maia / +260 Grove )
Betting Pick: Grove
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In the co-main event, World number four Middleweight Demian Maia takes on tough Hawaiian Kendall “Da Spyda” Grove in an important match for his career. After his knockout loss to Nate Marquardt and his embarrassing performance against Anderson Silva, Maia badly needs a good performance here. Grove is a tough stylistic match for anyone, though, so Maia is going to need a great performance here to get back on track.
Maia has easily the best jiu-jitsu in the division, and arguably the best jiu-jitsu in the entire sport. While the rest of his game is still something of a work in progress, there is no denying the effectiveness of his submissions from every position. His takedowns are serviceable, and he can always try to pull guard if it comes down to it, but he does not have dominant wrestling, which can mean trouble if he is facing a superior striker, which is most everyone in the division.
His opponent, Kendall Grove, is a very dangerous fighter who has extremely formidable jiu-jitsu of his own and very good Muay Thai to go along with it. He is also exceptionally tall for a Middleweight, and his lanky frame and long reach create matchup problems for almost everyone. He will undeniably have a huge advantage against Maia in the striking department, so if he can manage to hold off Maia’s jiu-jitsu long enough he is in a good position to score the upset.
I think this fight has upset written all over it. Obviously Maia’s jiu-jitsu is unmatched in the division, but Grove can more than hold his own on the ground and has a huge striking advantage. Maia’s mediocre wrestling is going to cause him problems in this one, because not only is he going to have to wade through Grove’s strikes to secure takedowns, he is going to risk getting caught up in the clinch, where Grove is very effective. I think Maia is going to have a hard time getting Grove down and controlling him, and he is going to pay for it. Grove by T/KO.
Prediction: Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove via third round T/KO.
- It is also worth noting that Grove is a massive betting underdog in this fight at +260, so I think this is an extremely attractive pick.
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