Pre-Fight Stock Report: UFC Fight Night 162
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WHO HAS THE MOST TO GAIN?
Demian Maia: Since suffering three consecutive losses for the first time in his MMA career, Maia has bounced back nicely, and at the seasoned age of 41, he undoubtedly wants to capitalize on another winning streak and make another unlikely run at a title shot. Next on Maia’s list: a main event opposite Askren with all the makings of a grappler’s delight, pitting jiu-jitsu against wrestling. In this match, Maia has the opportunity to snatch whatever clout Askren has left and apply it to himself. Maia’s key to this fight is to not shy away from grappling exchanges. All too often fights between talented grapplers end in sloppy slugfests, but to maximize his chances of success, Maia must live and die by the sword and look to strangle his opponent from bell to bell.
Frank Camacho: While Camacho may not be one of the most consistent fighters on the UFC’s roster, he is certainly one of the most exciting. Win or lose, Camacho’s style has endeared him to fans and will keep him around for the foreseeable future. In his latest test against Beneil Dariush, Camacho will look for the first winning streak of his UFC career and to further validate his place on the roster. “The Crank” is a knockout artist through and through, and he would be wise to try to keep the fight standing and put the pressure on Dariush, who is much more comfortable on the mat than he is on his feet. A win over Dariush would be the biggest of Camacho’s career and establish him as legitimate player within a stacked division.
Don'Tale Mayes: After three appearances on Dana White’s Contender Series, Mayes finally got the call to the big leagues, and he will have his hands full on foreign soil, as he makes his UFC debut against one of the heavyweight division’s hottest prospects. Despite coming in with more fights on his resume, Mayes is a significant underdog to undefeated Frenchman Ciryl Gane and will need to maximize his experience advantage to the best of his ability in an attempt to drag the contest into deep water. Gane is an athletic and explosive prospect who has yet to see the third round of a professional bout. If he can take Gane to places he has yet to experience, then he stands a much better chance at pulling off an upset inside the Octagon.
WHO HAS THE MOST TO LOSE?
Ben Askren: After being victimized by the knee heard ’round the world, Askren now attempts to pick up the pieces against a fellow grappling wizard in Maia. This is a dangerous fight for Askren. A controversial UFC debut followed by a record-setting knockout loss in his second outing left “Funky” in desperate need of a quality victory. Like Maia, Askren’s key to victory is his refusal to shy from grappling exchanges. If he can set the tone with his wrestling and stifle Maia’s submission attack, then he stands a good chance of winning and getting back on track toward title contention.
Michael Johnson: Since his UFC debut almost a decade ago, Johnson has embodied the idea of a fighter who runs hot and cold. On his best nights, Johnson is a legitimate threat to anyone in both the lightweight and featherweight divisions. The problem? Johnson fails to put it all together on a consistent basis, resulting in an underwhelming career overall. His fight with Steven Ray serves as a crossroads bout for “The Menace.” A loss could conceivably see Johnson bounced from the UFC roster, but a win, especially a knockout, could announce his return to the lightweight division in an electrifying manner. This looks like a do-or-die proposition for Johnson, and it will be interesting to see which version of the Hard Knocks 365 product arrives in the Octagon.
Sergei Pavlovich: Much hype accompanied Pavlovich’s UFC debut. The anticipation was quickly snuffed out by a first-round knockout loss to Alistair Overeem, his first setback as a professional. Pavlovich has since picked up his first win inside the UFC and hopes to re-establish himself as a promising contender. This fight is a treacherous one for Pavlovich, as a second loss in three UFC appearances would make it incredibly difficult for him to ever be taken seriously as a threat to the heavyweight crown. His best chance of victory is to look to close the distance with Maurice Greene and not allow his rangy opponent to keep him on the outside of his kicks and punches.
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