Dong Hyun Kim (15-1) vs Demian Maia (15-4)
This should be an interesting fight between a high level Judoka and a high level Brazilian Jiu-jitsu fighter. Both guys have some striking ability and both are good on the ground.
Dong Hyun Kim has great throws and is pretty good controling the top position on the ground. He also has a nice height and reach advantage. As good as his ground game is, I'm not so sure he wants to mess around on the ground with Maia. I think his keys to victory are keeping it on the feet, stuffing takedowns and mixing in a striking to takedown strategy (where he immediately stands up or stays standing after a throw). Kim only has 1 loss in his career, to current welterweight champ Condit. One knock on his game is he tends to tire out during a fight.
Demian Maia is a ground wizard who seems to have forgotten he can fight on the ground. After his 21 second KO loss to Nathan Marquardt he has worked extensively on his striking, while seemly neglecting his top level BJJ game. He is only 1-2 in his last 3, losing 2 decisions. While his striking has come a long way, it's not his bread and butter and he isn't a KO puncher. His needs to go back to working his Judo and Wrestling to get a fight to the ground, where he is better than anyone at welterweight (he used this strategy to destroy Chael Sonnen in under 3 minutes). He is also making his welterweight debut which means we have no idea how he is going to look. Sometimes guys look better moving down, but most of the time they seem to be drained and gas out quickly.
This should be an interesting match and could be anyone's game depending on how they show up and the game plan they decide to employ.
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