Tyron Woodley vs. Demian Maia: What will go down:

An intriguing Welterweight showing co-headlines UFC 214.

A classic striker versus grappler match up holds the co-main event slot of UFC 214, as Welterweight champion Tyron 'The Chosen One' Woodley looks to defend his crown against the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner in MMA today, in the form of #1 contender, Brazil's Demian Maia. St. Louis native Woodley snatched the title from Robbie Lawler back at UFC 201, before a majority draw at UFC 205 in Madison Square Garden against Stephen Thompson seen him retain, and then a rematch between the pair once more resulted in a five round showdown, with Woodley leaving with the split decision. Opponent Demian Maia, is most definitely in the prime of his career, holding seven consecutive victories, including RNC stoppages over Matt Brown, Neil Magny and former Interim Welterweight king Carlos Condit.

Despite his lack of popularity with the majority of the UFC faithful, Woodley is undoubtedly one of the scariest athletes to ever grace the talent rich Welterweight division. With explosive power, a smothering wrestling background and incredible fast-twitch muscle fibres, Woodley certainly presents a daunting match up to the majority at 170lbs. Woodley is of course a two time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler at the University of Missouri, but often relies on his quick hands and loaded power to find the victory, evident from his title win over Robbie Lawler. Woodley was incredibly patient before unleashing a smashing right hand, which had Lawler sailing to the canvas. Woodley's conditioning has been questionable in the past, and with huge reason. The hugely muscle heavy frame of 'The Chosen One' weighs the striker down significantly and forces the body to support the muscle's with oxygen throughout the course of a five round affair. Woodley's best bet for this contest would be to exact a similar tactic and game plan which was on display against the 'Ruthless' one, and bide his time, move on the inside before unleashing a powerful right.

Trying for the second occasion at UFC gold, the Pan American and two time ADCC champion Demian Maia, faces the most difficult test to date, since his Middleweight title clash with Anderson 'The Spider' Silva. In a hugely drawn out and unpopular contest, counter striker Anderson Silva, elected not to engage with Maia for the majority of the fight claiming a unanimous decision victory in the process, while Maia was granted with a vast amount of fan support. Impressive wins over Bellator's Chael Sonnen, Jon Fitch, Rick Story. Gunnar Nelson and Jorge Masvidal, has surely cemented Maia's place among the UFC's all time greats. If the Brazilian grappling star is to have any success against Woodley, he must execute the same tactic that seen him claim victory over Masvidal, which would see him avoid any uncertain striking exchanges, and to attempt a take down at any opening, in order to bring his smothering BJJ into the action.

This match up is a truly interesting one, not only for the difficulty in facing someone like Maia, but also for the future of the Welterweight division, as the victor and champion leaving Anaheim, is almost guaranteed to face the returning Georges St. Pierre per UFC President Dana White. Questions certainly surround Woodley's gas tank, something which will benefit Maia no end, but I think, Woodley needs to land cleanly just once to spell the end of Maia's night.

Tyron Woodley via knockout.

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