MMA Preview – Demian Maia vs Anthony Martin at UFC on ESPN 3
THE FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 3? Sunday 30th June, 2019 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 3? Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
What channel is UFC on ESPN 3 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 3? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live and you can take advantage of a free trial with ESPN+ and subscribe now by clicking here!
Are tickets still available for UFC on ESPN 3? https://www.ufc.com/tickets
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
Anthony ‘Rocco’ Martin is surging up towards the rankings by displaying his exceptional grappling skills but the litmus test in grappling is surviving a fight with arguably the best submission artist in MMA – Demian Maia.
After strangling his way to a title shot with a seven-fight winning streak, Maia met Tyron Woodley who drew out the blueprint in how to subdue the submission wizard. Unable to offer much threat, he lost a unanimous decision and suffered the same fate against elite wrestlers, Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman. He was then handed a striker, Lyman Good and got back to old choking ways with a first-round submission.
‘Rocco’ is in the form of his life after four impressive wins. He earned a unanimous decision over Keita Nakamura before pulling off the first knockout of his career against Ryan LaFlare. He then submitted Jake Matthews and earned another decision over Sergio Moraes to thoroughly earn a big-name fight.
THE PREDICTION
‘Rocco’ can wrestle but much to Maia’s relief, he is not on the same level as the likes of Woodley, Covington and Usman and he will go about his usual business of trying to get the fight to the ground and into his domain.
‘Rocco’ is deadly on the mat but he is not on the same level as Maia and will want to make the fight as scrappy as possible. He will try and ignite a brawl which Maia can easily get suckered in to.
Providing Maia doesn’t get caught with any wild strikes he should be able to control the fight but ‘Rocco’s’ grappling is good enough to avoid the finish.
Winner: Maia via Decision
Striking and grappling stats sourced via FightMetric.
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