One thing I've noticed about Maia's fights.

[itheuser]

In many of his losses, his opponents tended to avoid trying to finish him. They score points, and survive.

This forces Maia to be the aggressor in terms of forcing the range, but he's not often made to pay for it in big ways when he fails. The gameplan seems to be to aim for a decision against him. His ability to survive on the feet with only one TKO loss is a partial testament to that.

Silva, Woodley, Usman, all used the ride it out strategy, where they never looked for the kill even when Maia was fading.

 

[Magx951]

they don't wanna get werdum-fedor'd

 

[Gio]

That is why Jake Shields is awesome, he ain't scared of Maia lol

 

[Fatback96]

He has decent boxing, good enough to avoid whatever shit Usman was throwing.

 

[FinalConflict2005]

Just cements how tough and skilled Maia is.

 

[turbotime]

Don't wanna get Chael'd. I don't blame them. Imagine whooping Maia than giving up your back somehow. Yikes.

 

[Paladin]

In many of his losses, his opponents tended to avoid trying to finish him. They score points, and survive.

This forces Maia to be the aggressor in terms of forcing the range, but he's not often made to pay for it in big ways when he fails. The gameplan seems to be to aim for a decision against him. His ability to survive on the feet with only one TKO loss is a partial testament to that.

Silva, Woodley, Usman, all used the ride it out strategy, where they never looked for the kill even when Maia was fading.

They do just enough to skate by.

 

[Boy God]

They suck?

 

[itheuser]

They suck?

No, apparently Maia's ground game is akin to a vat of acid. Sure, don't engage with him when he's fresh, but when he's wilting, you have to at least press the striking more.

I mean, Woodley hurt Thompson worse than he hurt Maia.

Think about that.