The main card for UFC 263 is stacked, as Demian Maia and Belal Muhammad face off as the second bout on the card. It's a classic grappler vs striker matchup where anything could happen in this one. Maia aims to maintain relevancy in the UFC, while Muhammad hopes to climb the ranks of the Welterweight division. It's time to continue our UFC 263 odds series with a Demian Maia-Belal Muhammad prediction and pick.
Demian Maia is no doubt a UFC legend, as he's known as one of the greatest submission artists of all time. He's so good on the ground, Maia sometimes welcomes the takedowns. Going 3-2 in his last five fights, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist hopes to get another W in the win column.
Belal Muhammad is more known for his striking abilities than anything else. Even so, most of his fights go the distance, as he hasn't recorded a KO/TKO victory since 2016. He's on a current streak, going 4-0-1 in his last five fights, where his last bout ended via no contest due to a bad eye poke. A win over Maia would catapult Muhammaed up the rankings, and possibly make him a top contender.
Here is how the sportsbooks have set the odds for this Welterweight matchup.
UFC 263 odds: Demian Maia-Belal Muhammad odds
Demian Maia +195
Belal Muhammad -230
Over 2.5 rounds (-165)
Under 2.5 rounds (+135)
How Demian Maia wins the fight
To put it sternly, Demian Maia's best bet is to take this one to the ground. Maia holds a professional record of 28-10, where 14 of those wins have come by submission. The entire organization knows his game plan, but many have trouble getting away from his grasp.
Due to Muhammad's striking prowess, Maia should be looking to take this fight to the ground as soon as possible. The earlier the better, as it is easier to generate submissions within the first couple of minutes of the fight than it is later on. He's at a disadvantage at the start of the bell, as each round begins on the feet. If Maia can take Muhammad down, then this fight could be ending early.
How Belal Muhammad wins the fight
Muhammad has a simple game plan similar to his opponent. However, it's the exact opposite. The worst possible place for Muhammad would be the ground in this matchup. He has to keep it standing no matter what and turn this into a kickboxing match.
Look for “Remember the Name” to keep his distance and utilize the jab often. We likely will see some leg kicks as well, as Muhammad attempts to wear down his opponent throughout the fight. Forcing Maia to stand and fight for three rounds will likely earn Belal Muhammad the victory.
Final Demian Maia-Belal Muhammad prediction & pick
These two are drastically different fighters and it'll come down to who follows their game plan the best. If it goes to the ground, Maia will likely submit Muhammad for the win. If it stays standing, expect to see Muhammad's hand raised by the end of the bout. Based on where they're at in their careers, Muhammad should be able to outlast his opponent and earn his fifth win in six fights.
FINAL Demian Maia-Belal Muhammad PREDICTION & PICK: Belal Muhammad wins by KO/TKO in Round 3
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