The opening bout on the televised portion of the UFC's return to Fox network on January 28th features a key middleweight matchup between Demian Maia (15-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) and the fast-rising Chris Weidman (7-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC). Weidman was a last minute replacement for Maia's original opponent Michael Bisping, who is now fighting Chael Sonnen on the same card due to an elbow injury by Sonnen's original opponent, Mark Munoz.

Chris Weidman has been impressive in his first three appearances in the octagon, and is a man who many tout as the future of the middleweight division. He is 3-0 in the UFC, with his most recent victory being a methodical first round smashing of former TUF cast member "Filthy" Tom Lawlor at UFC 139. Weidman is a former Division 1 wrestler for Hofstra University, and his tremendous wrestling base has transitioned nicely to mixed martial arts. He is constantly improving his game with the Serra-Longo Fight Team, and a victory for him would catapult his standing in the thin middleweight division. 

Demian Maia is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger who is 3-1 in the octagon since losing to Anderson Silva in April of 2010. The third degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is coming off of a unanimous decision victory over Jorge Santiago at UFC 136. Maia has shown improved striking in every fight since his loss to Silva, making him a more well-rounded fighter other than his slick submission skills. In fact, he has not submitted an opponent in nearly three years. But do not be fooled, Maia is still one of the best in the Mixed Martial Arts business should the fight make it to the ground. A victory for Maia would move him further up the ladder for another title shot.

Fight Odds:

Chris Weidman: -170

Demian Maia: +140

Chris Weidman is stepping into the deep end of the middleweight pool by taking this fight on roughly two weeks notice against a hungry former title contender in Maia. I believe that Maia will test Weidman in all aspects of this fight. If Weidman had a full training camp to prepare for this fight, it could go his way, but unfortunately he doesn't. Maia is just too experienced for him at this time. I believe the -170 for Weidman has a lot to do with the hype surrounding him, and for good reason. While Weidman is the future of the middleweight division, I have to lean towards the present right now. I see Maia controlling the pace of this fight and testing Weidman's cardio into the second and third rounds, leading to a unanimous decision victory. I am all over Demian Maia at +140, and you should be too. 

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