Last week record: 5-7-1
Welterweight contenders meet in the main event of UFC Fight Night 162 on Saturday as Demian Maia takes on Ben Askren. The 11-fight event from Singapore features the main card starting at 8 a.m. Askren is a -190 favorite (risk $190 to win $100), while Maia is a +165 underdog (risk $100 to win $165) in the latest Maia vs. The UFC returns to Singapore this weekend with a major fight at Welterweight that pits Ben Askren against Demian Maia. UFC Fight Night 162: Maia vs. Askren - Predictions and Picks.
Once again it is time for breakfast and fights when the UFC puts on a Fight Night card from Singapore Saturday morning. Welterweights Demian Maia and Ben Askren headline the eleven fight card, that should be sneaky fun. While there is lack of star power, this should be a nice card to lead the way to MSG next week. Time to pick!
Maia Vs Askren Predictions Bleacher Report
Demian Maia (27-9) (10) vs Ben Askren (19-1) (11)
Dream match time for the hardcore fans! Maia is a BJJ legend. Askren is a wrestling legend. Who’s skill set is better? Maia is on a two fight win streak with wins this year over Lyman Good and Anthony Rocco Martin. Askren made his UFC debut in March with a controversial win over Robbie Lawler, but he was on the wrong end of a Jorge Masvidal knee in only five seconds in July.
Maia Vs Askren Predictions Today
Maia has struggled against the top wrestlers in the division as of late, dropping three straight decisions to Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington, and Kamaru Usman in 2017-2018, but I do think each of those fighters are more well rounded than Ben. On the flip side, Askren will not have to worry about the striking of a Robbie or Masvidal in this fight. Neither fighter has much of a standup game. I would probably give Maia the edge on the feet, but he’s still not a dangerous striker. This fight will end being a grappling contest, and I can’t wait. It really will be BJJ vs wrestling. Maia has looked really good this year, and I haven’t been impressed with Ben’s jump to the UFC. I think Maia gets the job done. Prediction: Demian Maia Decision
Michael Johnson (19-14) vs Stevie Ray (22-9)
Michael Johnson makes his return to Lightweight to battle Scotland’s Stevie Ray (not Harlem Heat’s Stevie Ray). Johnson moved down to Featherweight for a 2-2 run, including a loss in his last fight to Josh Emmett in March. Ray is also on a bit of a skid, going 1-3 in his last four fights. Both fighters are very capable of putting on a good fight. Both of these guys are pretty good on the feet, and I would be surprised it this spends much time on the ground. Johnson has very fast hand speed, and he won’t have to deal with the weight cut. I don’t see either of these guys making a real run in the very deep 155 division, but I like MJ to get his arm raised in his Lightweight return. Prediction: Michael Johnson Decision
Frank Camacho (22-7) vs Beneil Dariush (16-4-1)
Another fun fight in the Lightweight division here. Win or lose, Frank Camacho doesn’t have boring fights. After an unsuccessful 0-2 stretch at Welterweight, Frank moved back to Lightweight in June with a TKO win over Nick Hein. Dariush has looked very good at Lightweight, picking up two wins in the last twelve months. Camacho is better on his feet than he is on the ground, and Beneil is very well rounded. If Dariush gets the fight to the ground, I think the fight will be over. Prediction: Beneil Dariush 2nd Round Submission
Ciryl Gane (4-0) vs Don’tale Mayes (7-2)
Heavyweights clash when Ciryl Gane and “Kong” Mayes meet in Singapore. Two relatively unknown fighters, Gane won his UFC debut in August, while Mayes is making his debut. I liked what Gane showed in August, so I’ll take him for the win. Prediction: Ciryl Gane 2nd Round Submission
Muslim Salikhov (15-2) vs Laureano Staropoli (9-1)
Sneaky fun fight to start off the main card. Salikhov is 2-1 in the UFC. He had the highlight KO of Nordine Taleb in September. Staropoli is 2-0 in the UFC with his last win coming in May over Thiago Alves. Both of these guys are very fun to watch, but I think Salikhov’s power will be too much for Staropoli. Prediction: Muslim Salikhov 3rd Round KO
Six fights on the prelim card including a fun Randa Markos vs Ashley Yoder fight, and Farmington, MO’s Alex White makes his return to the Octagon. Quick picks for the prelims.
Randa Markos (9-7-1) vs Ashley Yoder (7-4) Prediction: Ashley Yoder
Alex White (13-5) vs Rafael Fiziev (6-1) Prediction: Rafael Fiziev
Enrique Barzola (16-4-1) vs Movsar Evloev (11-0) Prediction: Enrique Barzola
Sergey Pavlovich (14) (13-1) vs Maurice Greene (13) (8-2) Prediction: Sergey Pavlovich
Loma Lookboonmee (3-1) vs Aleksandra Albu (3-1) Prediction: Loma Lookboonmee
Raphael Pessoa (9-1) vs Jeff Hughes (10-2) Prediction: Raphael Pessoa
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Demian Maia vs Ben Askren
Before i state my prediction, lets get the stats out the way. Maia will come in with a two inch height advantage whilst Askren will hold a one inch reach advantage. The minimal differences mean theres nothing really to report here.
Maia comes into the bout with a record of 27-9-0 and on a two fight winning streak. Although Maia isnt an elite striker (in fact he tends to gas out quickly), he does possess a stiff jab and a few decent combinantions, opposed to Askren who’s striking skill set is literally non existent. Its clear as day that if this fight was to remain on the feet Maia holds the clear advantage. Like Askren, Maia is recognised for his outstanding ground game with 13 of his fights ending in submissions. He’s a fourth degree black belt and widely regarded as having one of the best jiu jitsu skill-sets in the whole of the UFC.
As for Askren, although he’s endured a shaky start to his UFC career being close to finished by Lawler and KO’d viciously by Masvidal. Askrens 19-1-0 record speaks volumes as to how impressive his wrestling is and his ability to get the job done. Theres no doubt in my mind that this fight is going straight to the ground and staying there, especially with Askren holding a very impressive take-down average of 4.39 for ever 15 minutes of octagon,
Post Maia’s infamous 7 fight win streak between 2014 and 2017, he went on to lose three times on the trot. Maia was defeated by Woodley, Covington and Usman. All three are elite wrestlers and you could certainly make an argument as to Askren being a better wrestler than all three. Also most of Maia’s submissions have come from taking his opponents back, due to Askren’s unorthodox, funky, headfirst style of wrestling, its certainly going to be difficult for Maia to get Askren where he wants him.
This is make or break time for Askren, his KO loss to Masvidal wont be forgotten anytime soon but this could be a start on the road of redemption. After a controversial win against Lawler and an embarrasing 5 second loss to Masvidal, if he really has his eyes on the belt he needs to show us he can win in a dominating fashion.
Despite the increasing pressure and better striking skill set, styles make fights and because of Maia’s previous stuggles with wrestlers, i think that Askren’s funky wrestling will get the better of Maia’s jiu jitsu.
Prediction – Askren via Unanimous Decision