Mark Munoz will get a chance to prove he is truly one of the top middleweight contenders when he faces grappling wizard and former division number one contender Demian Maia at the upcoming UFC 131 pay-per-view event scheduled for this Saturday night (June 11) at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
"The Philippine Wrecking Machine" is currently the -125 favorite.
Perhaps that has to do with the fact that Maia, who first began terrorizing the 185-pound division with five straight submission wins following his UFC 77 debut back in October 2007, spent his next five contests either going to the judges scorecards or getting beat up on his feet.
The bookies aren't convinced he's ready to snap that streak and as such, have pinned him as the +105 underdog against his heavy-handed foe.
Are the oddsmakers calling it like they see it? Or playing it safe? Take a look at how these two middleweights stack up and decide for yourself.
185 lbs.: Mark "The Philippine Wrecking Machine" Munoz (10-2) vs. Demian Maia (14-2)
Backgrounds (last five fights):
Munoz:
Record: 4-1Maia:
Notable wins: Squelched CB Dollaway, derailed Aaron Simpson, tilled Kendall Grove
Notable losses: Let Yushim Okami bring the thunder at UFC on Versus 2
Strengths: Hands like a Golem, impeccable wrestler, great cardio
Weaknesses: Gets hit too easily, unproven against division's elite
Record: 3-2Mark Munoz (-125) vs. Demian Maia (+105) at UFC 131.
Notable wins: Despite grappling amnesia, won three decisions against a trio of mid-card talent
Notable losses: Did the Buffer 360 at the hands of Nate Marquardt, bit by "The Spider" at UFC 112
Strengths: One of the sport's most feared grapplers, has shown improvement in his striking
Weaknesses: It's been over two years since he won by submission, no power in his hands
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