Brazilian Grappling Legend Demian Maia on How Charles Oliveira’s Offensive Ground Game Can Defeat Islam Makhachev
Former two-time UFC title challenger Demian Maia spoke on MMA Fighting’s exclusive podcast and talked about a much-talked-about potential fight between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev. After Oliveira defeated Justin Gaethje via submission, it was clear to all that he was the best lightweight fighter on the planet by a significant margin.
However, there’s one name that’s always brought up as his stiffest competition and It’s none other than Islam Makhechev. Many believe the protégé of Khabib Nurmagomedov has the acumen on the ground to shut down Charles Oliveira’s game.
However, Maia doesn’t share this sentiment, and he is of the belief that Charles Oliveira’s guard game is enough to overcome any adversity he may face from Islam Makhachev on the canvas.
“If there’s a man to beat that type of fighter, it’s Charles, because Charles has [a good] guard [game],” Maia said on this week’s episode of MMA Fighting podcast Trocação Franca.
“You have to have [a good] guard to beat someone like that, enough guard to at least survive but also be offensive, to be dangerous there. Charles has that. Charles is a dangerous fight for that type of fighter. Not to mention he’s dangerous as hell on the feet.”
Additionally, Demian Maia mentioned how he used an aggressive approach on the ground against Olympic grappler Ben Askren when they fought in 2019. Demian Maia talked about timing your ground offense in the right way so as to ensure that your opponent doesn’t have too much energy.
“It’s kind of the same strategy when I fought Ben Askren. I was taken down and was working right away. You can go for a sweep or a submission during the takedown. Not that you can’t be off your back, but you don’t wanna be there early, when you opponent has too much energy to hold you and steal rounds.” [h/t mmafighting.com]
Islam Makhachev vs Charles Oliveira will be one of the biggest fights of the year on the merits of its stylistic intrigue. Both men have varied skill sets on the canvas and the fight will be electric in the stand-up department as well.
