Mark Munoz (10-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) has never been submitted in his professional career. Demian Maia (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) is one the most dangerous submission grapplers in the sport.
It's just one of the many potential battlegrounds they could traverse during their 15-minute war for middleweight supremacy on the pay-per-view main card of Saturday's UFC 131 event.
The event takes place at Rogers Center in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A heavyweight tilt between Junior Dos Santos and Shane Carwin headlines the show.
"I am prepared for wherever the fight goes," Munoz recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "If it goes to the ground, it goes to the ground. If he stays on his feet, I'll be happy to knock him out."
Despite Maia's gainful improvements with his kickboxing in recent bouts, he will have to be leery of the punching power Munoz continues to demonstrate and that he recently put on full display in a UFC on Versus 3 knockout win over C. B. Dollaway.
"I've still been going over to master Rafael Cordeiro's over at King's MMA to sharpen up my standup skills," Munoz said. "I've been just training standup only and having wrestlers come in to wrestle me."
On the other hand, Maia also has the equivalent of a one-punch knockout in his arsenal – in the form of a quick submission. All he needs is a small window – an exposed neck to latch onto, an arm posted carelessly on the mat near his guard. Anything will do.
It's a safe bet that prolonged positional battles with Maia on the ground would not be in the best interest of Munoz. But if it goes there, he's been working to make sure he can tread water against the world-class jiu-jitsu artist.
"I brought in Ryron and Rener Gracie to help me out," Munoz said. "I do have Fabricio (Werdum) there (at Reign Training Center), as well, and Marcel Louzado."
Newly minted "The Ultimate Fighter 14" coach Jason "Mayhem" Miller has also been an asset in Munoz's training camp – not only for his prowess on the mat but also his long, wiry frame that happens to be similar to Maia's body type.
If Munoz is fortunate enough to come away with a win over a former title challenger in Maia, it would go a long way in cementing his place in the upper tier of a division that finally appears to be gaining some momentum again.
Long-time champion Anderson Silva defends his belt Aug. 27 at UFC 134 in a rematch with Yushin Okami.
With Michael Bisping's schedule booked solid due to his "TUF 14" coaching duties opposite Miller and a subsequent fight on Dec. 3, the door has been opened for others such as Munoz, Maia and UFC 130 victor Brian Stann.
Stann, who is currently waiting to find out the identity of his next foe, could potentially take on the winner of Munoz and Maia for the right to fight for the title.
Beyond Saturday night, though, is too far to look ahead for the focused Munoz, who knows full well he has a tough road to hoe against an opponent he holds in high regard.
"I have no ill will toward Demian," Munoz said. "I know when we go out there and fight, it's going to be a great fight, a great show. That's what we're here to do. Afterward, I can take him out to dinner, for sure.
"The winner pays, so it's probably going to be me."
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