Issue 152

March 2017

DEMIAN MAIA - #2 UFC 170LB CONTENDER

When the fight was made for last year I said I fancied it a little more for ‘Wonderboy’ (Thompson).

I think he held the center of the Octagon much more in the first fight, but he just never worked enough. He will have learned from last time and needs to be far more active. Woodley is always dangerous with the big right hand and if he can land it then it could be an early night for Wonderboy.

But, if not, I think the same as last time, that Thompson will win by points or maybe even a late TKO.

BRIAN STANN - UFC ANALYST

Firstly, people have turned on Wodlley because he tried to talk his way into money fights, but I’m not mad at that... I definitely felt like more was learned, more was figured out about the opponent, for Tyron Woodley than Wonderboy Thompson.

I think Tyron Woodley realized how much control he was able to exhibit on the ground and I think he obviously realized how much power he has. He was able to feel what Wonderboy’ had to offer as well. So it’s a more dangerous rematch for Wonderboy.

JOE ROGAN - UFC COLOR COMMENTATOR & ANALYST

The rematch is fascinating because when you look at the first fight, it was clearly Woodley who did more damage.

For two rounds he really had Woodley in some serious s**t. And people forget that he only took Thompson down in that first round. He had so much success by taking him down, yet he still lived with Wonderboy in the striking – almost knocking him out in the fourth round.

That how I look back on the first fight, who had who in the most trouble and Woodley definitely had the edge in that fight.

VERDICT: TYRON WOODLEY

While Maia is giving the edge to Wonderboy clearly analysts Stann and Rogan feel the champ has the edge.