Demian Maia vs Chael Sonnen UFC 95 fight booked
by MMAmania.com on Dec 30, 2008 9:20 AM EST
39 comments
Brazilian jiu-jitsu player Demian Maia (9-0) will return to action against Octagon veteran and former World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) number one middleweight contender Chael Sonnen (21-9-1) at UFC 95, which takes place from The O2 Arena in London, England, on February 21.
Maia recently finished Nate Quarry via first round submission (rear naked choke) in less than three minutes at UFC 91: "Couture vs. Lesnar" last month.
It was his fourth win inside the Octagon and his fourth by way of submission. However, it was the first time in his UFC career that he was not awarded with "Submission of the Night" honors.
Ho-hum.
In addition to Quarry, Maia -- a 2007 Abu Dhabi tournament winner — has submission wins over Ryan Jensen, Ed Herman and Jason MacDonald since his debut with the promotion at UFC 77: "Hostile Territory" back in October 2007.
It's safe to say that a win over the last man who should have held the WEC 185-pound belt would be perhaps the biggest feather in his cap to date and set him up nice as the man to beat to get to division kingpin, Anderson Silva.
Sonnen recently handed a dazed and confused Paulo Filho -- who was widely regarded as the second-best middleweight fighter in the world before encountering major personal issues -- his first career loss at WEC 37 on November 5.
He avenged a previous controversial defeat to the Brazilian in a fight that Sonnen clearly dominated through the first round. However, in the second Filho sunk in a tight armbar that forced Sonnen to verbally tap, which he vehemently denied doing (it was just a shriek), with just five seconds remaining on the clock.
That saga now appears to be behind him, allowing Sonnen to focus on once again attempting to build a successful UFC career.
The Team Quest fighter is even in UFC competition (1-1), losing to Jeremy Horn via submission (armbar) at UFC 60: "Hughes vs. Gracie" back in 2006 and outpointing Trevor Prangley on all three judges scorecards at Ultimate Fight Night 4 that same year.
More than half of his career losses have come via submission, which makes it very important for him to be as careful as possible against a super slick ground tactician like Maia.
UFC 95 currently features the highly anticipated lightweight debut of Diego Sanchez against Joe Stevenson in the main event of the evening. Middleweights Nate Marquardt and Wilson Gouveia are also expected to mix it up in an important division clash.
To check out the latest UFC 95 fight card and rumors click here.
0 recs |
39 comments
Email
Print
Comments
I can’t wait to see this although I think that Maia should be pushing his abilities and fighting someone that doesn’t already have 5 submission losses. I would have liked to see a tougher challenge for him to set up a title fight later in 09.
by Shadyone33 on Dec 30, 2008 9:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m going to echo what the Rampage guys have been saying and state that Chael is a much improved fighter. I don’t think Maia will submit him. Can he? Yes. But I just don’t think he will.
by wAyNe on Dec 30, 2008 9:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Completely agree, think this is taylor made for Maia. Annoying really. A guy who has a relativly big name but a weakness against subs going up against the best BJJ fighter in the division.
Maia wins early then gets his title shot. The end.
by Nick J on Dec 30, 2008 9:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Personally I think Chael is GARBAGE! Everyone on this site seems to be trying to rush Maia into a title shot….F THAT! Maia needs to move up slowly and gradually up the ladder. I dont think he is ready for Spider-like competition, and until the UFC puts him through the fire and tests him, he wont be able to take that next step. After he makes Overated Sonnen Tap, I would give him 2 more fights before a title shot. Let Leites and Bisping fight the spider 1st for the title….by the time those fights are done, Maia will be ready to take on Anderson! not that I believe anyone is actually going to beat Anderson at 185 lbs.
In a perfect world, Anderson would vacate the title and the UFC would have a 8 man tournament (spread over 3 events) to crown the new middleweight champion. Participants should be:
Franklln
Henderson
Bisping
THales
Marquardt
Wilson
Maia
Cote
by john on Dec 30, 2008 10:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
well put John. This guy has no striking! How can he fight for a title? Is he gonna pull guard against Silva…good luck with that. Sonnen is an elite fighter…for wec, which isn’t saying much! He couldn’t finish a guy that was on pluto during their last fight.
where is Nick Diaz and Jake Shields…any news?
Stinky, ever eat at Angelina’s up in stockton? Maybe we can meet for dinner on wed, it’s a spot my wife and I enjoy in stockton…good veal and sauce!
by kevin on Dec 30, 2008 10:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That is an awsome idea John.. I would love to see a MW GPrix.. in the UFC.. I just hope Silva finishes his current agreemant as MW Champ.. once he has honored his agreemant.. then have him basically step down as the UFC MW champ.. and have him finish his career with only mega fights.
As long as Silva is healthy, training, and at 185.. that belt will not leave his waist unless he takes it off himself.. who today outside of Henderson can really beat Silva?? Who has an all around game to do so?
Now Chael is not really that good IMo.. I respect him.. I think he is game opponent.. and on Sunday I was watching the replay of his 2nd fight with Filho.. and Filho’s shitty ass performance really made Chael look really good. Chael stand up is ok.. his Wrestling and takedowns are his best attributes.. but we thus have seen him look really good againstthe WEC 185’rs.. humm.. so I question how will he size up against a Nate Marquardt.Bisping..Cote..Leites..Franklin.. IMO I don’t even think Chael will passed with a “W” against these guys.. Maia is a superb BJJ player.. you can watch all the tapes on him you want.. and Chael will.. but at the end of the day.. it’s not how it looks.. it’s how it feels.. ask Jason Mcdonald.
by PhilQNY on Dec 30, 2008 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Phil and Kev: GOod posts by both of you guys!
Phil, onto my middleweight grand Prix Idea, I forgot to mention that Wanderlei should be added to the MW Grand Prix. NOW is the time for Wanderlei to fight at a more natural weight 185 lbs. The days of wanderlei being tremendously undersize3d and knocking out HW’s are OVER. Wandy needs to cut to middleweight where he will be a MEGA Force again!
by john on Dec 30, 2008 10:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i like that idea of a mw grad-prix..
dang~ john! u should have joe silvas job!!
u would book all 205 fights for andy and do up a sweet tourny~
i love that idea!!
by stinky~fingers on Dec 30, 2008 1:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think anyone in the UFC right now can do anything against the Spider. However, I do think there are guys that will be more competitive than anyone in the UFC has been: the DREAM MWs. Gegard Mousasi, who has a great record with both TKOs and Subs to his credit, has an all around game, and could give Anderson problems. Melvin Manhoeff could KO Silva, and I don’t think Jacare or Zelg Galesic would do too bad either. DREAM is the key to defeating Anderson Silva IMO.
by Synystr on Dec 30, 2008 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Joe silva wants to see what his striking is like by putting him up against good wrestlers. but the thing is he has very technical wrestling and always finishes takedowns from everywhere making this fight retarded. Also Chael doesn’t belong in the UFC.
by NameNotRequired on Dec 30, 2008 3:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Stink! I could only wish!
Send Anderson permanently to 205 and bring wandy down to 185 and watch him tear up the middleweight grand prix. I would love to make it a 16 man tourney but its unrealistic because in the USA we cant have fighters fighting two times in the same night (I dont like it that way anyway), so 16 fighters would have to be spread out over 4 rounds and 4 events….Thats too much! Make it 8 fighters, 2 tournament reserve fights and spread it out over 3 ppv events. 1 every 4 months. If a fighter isnt ready in 4 months or injuries occur, bring in a reserve! We will have a new and well deserving middleweight champion crowned in 12 months time! BTW, Of course the Finale would be a 5 rounder!
by john on Dec 30, 2008 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maia by sub first round no doubt about it
by McArthur on Dec 30, 2008 9:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
what a dumb fight, they should be building these two guys not putting them against one another.
by Toad on Dec 30, 2008 9:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maia will rip his arm off like Filho should of the first time he fought Sonnen
by the_mexicutioner on Dec 30, 2008 9:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m tired of hearin fucking Chael Haters, i guarantee he won’t lose by submission if at all, he went from a four time district champion to a state place winner in high school, then was an NCAA Champion, and has spent years training and conditioning like a mad man, he will not submit, if anything he knows how to get out of those situations with all of his wrestling background. I’m going for Sonnen even if he is the underdog. if there’s one thing my coaches have told me about Chael, its that he was one of the hardest workers we’ve [West Linn High School] have ever seen and one of the best wrestlers as well.
by WL_Wrestle on Jan 27, 2009 9:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah sonnen is dead first round submission, it would be nice to see him pull of the upset.
by Jared on Dec 30, 2008 10:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think Dana wants to “build” a contender for Anderson. That’s why Maia is being matched to those who most fit his style.
by DJ on Dec 30, 2008 10:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I say Chael Sonnen might pull off the upset. He has the wrestling base to possibly stop a drog guard or a takedown attempt. I mean it took Demian 3 rounds to finish Jason MacDonald. I think there is a chance that Chael could finish Demain via TKO
by "Mr. NC-17" on Dec 30, 2008 10:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m gonna go out on a limb with you and Agree here NC-17, I’m taking Sonnen in this fight. He just needs to fight off the take down and use the reach to pick Maia apart like he did with Fihlo the first fight, only this time, don’t go to the ground.
by O Damn he got caught on Dec 30, 2008 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sonnen is a NCAA Wrestling Champion. Maia will NOT be able to take him down. Maia will have to pull guard and try to sub him.
by Tha_Pimp_man on Dec 30, 2008 12:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maia needs to go back down to train with Mir’s camp for the standup. A little off topic here and I don’t know about anyone else but I would love to see Maia vs Drysdale in a grappling match.
by rydinlow on Dec 30, 2008 12:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I am totaly stoked for this fight.. ill take Sonnon even though Maia will pry submitt him with eas like he does everyone else!
by belfort_fan on Dec 30, 2008 4:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This is one that Joe Silva has f**ked up … Maia needs to be fighting Marqurdt for the number one contender spot and should fight Anderson Silva after he has fought Okami.
by DownUnder on Dec 30, 2008 4:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
marquartd is fighting gouveia but yeah i think maia should fight okami and then the winner of nate/wilson for the number one contender its enough time for maia to improve his striking…
by JoW on Dec 30, 2008 5:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Is that fight confirmed? I hope not. It is a waste of Marquardt’s time. Oh well, another fight, another finish for Nate if it does.
by DownUnder on Dec 30, 2008 9:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maia’s Jits is LEGIT. He needs to spend all day kickboxing…Chonen is taking a nap.
by Ground-Game on Dec 30, 2008 4:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
great fight for number one contender but i think maia will put chael to sleep
by bryant on Dec 30, 2008 4:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sonnen is going to take this. Maia won’t be able to get it down and Sonnen will keep it standing and outpoint him to decision. Only a couple of guys, the strong wrestlers with hands, can beat him in the UFC imo.
by EazyEismydad on Dec 30, 2008 8:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
winner of this one should just be right behind LEites for the title shot
by radimusshogun on Dec 30, 2008 9:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maia by flying arm bar in the first 30 seconds.
by sycboi on Dec 30, 2008 9:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
sonnen actually also lost to babalu in the ufc so he isnt 1-1 in the ufc
by alex on Dec 31, 2008 2:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sonnen is going to win this fight! Maia cant take Sonnen down even on his best day so Sonnen will dictate the fight. I dont know why people want to bash Sonnen he is a class act that never makes excuses and always respectful to fighters and fans. more fighters should follow his example!
by jj on Feb 13, 2009 12:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maia by flying armbar in the first 30 seconds?lol. really? you’re a fucking fag bro and i don’t think you should have an opinion on this fight. and i really think that you should bet someone your life. Sonnen is not going to get caught. Sonnen will dictate this fight. Like his teammate henderson, sonnen will take the fight down and score some points. I train with sonnen, he and i are very confident he will not get caught. idk if anyone noticed, maia always wins by rear naked choke.
Sonnen is a wrestling god that trains with matt horwich, all you guys think yeah that guy sucks. But let me tell you, his submissions are just as good as maia.
Maia is 10-0 yes, but who has he beat? jason mcdonald, ok he has pretty good subs and ok stand up. You guys make me gag. Sonnen put a stop to an amazing jui jits practitioner in paulo filho. He was 17-0 when sonnen beat him. so all you faggots judging by record, will shut your faggot ass mouths when he makes maia 10-1.
by Craig on Feb 20, 2009 11:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
