- Joined
- Apr 11, 2010
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For two reasons specifically, Maia may be the single most dangerous matchup in the entire UFC for Khamzat.
1. Styles make fights. No one beats Maia on the ground. No one. Don't toss that lukewarm Shields decision at me.
2. More importantly... confidence makes fights. Sure Khamzat could try and implement a Nate Marquardt gameplan and win on the feet. The problem with that is he likely won't. All signs (including this post-fight interview he just did) point to making a statement and trying to sub Maia:
His confidence is on another goddamn planet, to the point where it may be dangerous. If your gameplan is "I'll take him down to choke him out" is there any worse person in all the UFC to implement that on than MAIA? Maybe Werdum? Points 1 and 2 TOGETHER mean both of Khamzat's greatest strengths (his technical skill and his confidence) become weaponized against him by Maia.
On the other hand... if he actually implements the most dangerous gameplan probably in all of MMA history... and won via submission... I think it wouldn't be hyperbole to demand instant title shots. If that happened, for many of us in the know... it would eclipse several title wins historically speaking.
Of course the increasingly-vocal angry contingent would toss Maia in the trash, move the goal posts yet again, and just say that he's a can. But if Khamzat wins a GROUND FIGHT? Those knowledgeable would know how utterly unprecedented/insane that'd be.
1. Styles make fights. No one beats Maia on the ground. No one. Don't toss that lukewarm Shields decision at me.
2. More importantly... confidence makes fights. Sure Khamzat could try and implement a Nate Marquardt gameplan and win on the feet. The problem with that is he likely won't. All signs (including this post-fight interview he just did) point to making a statement and trying to sub Maia:
His confidence is on another goddamn planet, to the point where it may be dangerous. If your gameplan is "I'll take him down to choke him out" is there any worse person in all the UFC to implement that on than MAIA? Maybe Werdum? Points 1 and 2 TOGETHER mean both of Khamzat's greatest strengths (his technical skill and his confidence) become weaponized against him by Maia.
On the other hand... if he actually implements the most dangerous gameplan probably in all of MMA history... and won via submission... I think it wouldn't be hyperbole to demand instant title shots. If that happened, for many of us in the know... it would eclipse several title wins historically speaking.
Of course the increasingly-vocal angry contingent would toss Maia in the trash, move the goal posts yet again, and just say that he's a can. But if Khamzat wins a GROUND FIGHT? Those knowledgeable would know how utterly unprecedented/insane that'd be.
