...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!
Predict the outcome of UFC Fight Night 62's Demian Maia vs. Ryan LaFlare main event. Is there anything else on the card that stands out as intriguing?
DAYNE FOX, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
While I don't think Maia is a title contender, I think he should been seen as the favorite against anyone not amongst the elite in the division, and LaFlare isn't elite. Maia will never be an elite striker, but he is vastly improved since entering the UFC, and more than competent at this stage. Still, everyone knows his submission game is as dangerous as anyone in MMA. LaFlare might be able to handle Maia standing, but I think he'll be leery to utilize his wrestling, which is a big part of his game. Look for the contest to resemble Maia's encounter with Rick Story: Maia gaining a submission victory in Brazil.
The rest of the card was ravaged by injury, and it makes it hard to be truly excited for most of it. If I was going to say anything, I want to see how Amanda Nunes does against Shayna Baszler. Nunes is young and talented enough that she has as good of a chance as anyone at emerging from the muddled pack at women's bantamweight. I'm sure she would need more than a year to line up a title shot, but if she were to dismantle Ronda Rousey's good friend in Baszler, she would be off to a great start.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I suppose I'll go with Maia here. He's got a better track record in terms of the level of competition he's faced. Maia has faced some of the best fighters in multiple divisions. LaFlare does have the confidence of an unbeaten record, though. And no, nothing stands out on the card, including the main event. There's a few interesting fights, like Erick Silva vs. Josh Koscheck, Amanda Nunes vs. Shayna Baszler, and Maia vs. LaFlare, but nothing that's interesting because it should be good. I always approach events like this with very low expectations, so I can be pleasantly surprised if it winds up being entertaining.
TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR
I can't say I'm overly excited about Maia vs. LaFlare, in fact I can see the fight going the full 25 minutes with me struggling to keep myself awake as I dream about eating something fattening when I'm trying to cut weight.
Anyway, back to the fight. Maia isn't getting any younger, and after two back to back losses and a laboured win over Alexander Yakovlev, time may be catching up with him. While LaFlare is undefeated and 4-0 inside the Octagon, I'm yet to be wowed by him; maybe this'll be the fight where he finally breaks out.
Prediction: Ryan LaFlare UD
JAMIE PENICK, MMATORCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LaFlare is getting the biggest opportunity of his career to date, taking his first headlining fight against a former title contender in Maia. The New Yorker is undefeated in his 11 fight career, and he's looked solid, if not spectacular, in his four UFC bouts thus far. He's a very good wrestler with an improving striking game, and his jiu jitsu skills are good, though obviously not on Maia's level.
The former Middleweight Title challenger is returning for the first time in ten months after a serious illness late last year. He stopped a losing streak in his last outing, defeating Alexander Yakovlev by decision, but he's been on a streak of less than stellar performances. He's capable of fantastically dominant offense, but he's going to have a tough time controlling LaFlare for a significant amount of time. I'd expect this to be a competitive, hard-fought battle between two well-matched welterweights here.
LaFlare could take a big step forward in his career here, but in a five round fight - something he's never experienced - there are questions as to how he handles that. Either can win this fight, and though Maia may be more likely, I think LaFlare may be able to take three of five rounds. LaFlare by decision
DON'T GO YET... WE SUGGEST THESE MMATORCH ARTICLES, TOO!
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
Interested in joining MMATorch's writing team? Send idea for a theme to your column (for Specialist section) or area of interest (i.e. TV Reporter) along with a sample of writing to mmatorch@gmail.com.
