UFC on ESPN+ 20 breakdown: Will Ben Askren or Demian Maia dictate grappling for the win?

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main event for UFC on ESPN+ 20.

UFC on ESPN+ 20 takes place Saturday at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. The card streams on ESPN+.

Demian Maia (27-9 MMA, 21-9 UFC)

Staple info:

• Height: 6’1″ Age: 41 Weight: 170 lbs. Reach: 72″
• Last fight: Decision win over Anthony Rocco Martin (June 29, 2019)
• Camp: Demian Maia Jiu-jitsu (Brazil)
• Stance/striking style: Southpaw/kickboxing
• Risk management: Good

Supplemental info:

+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ 2x Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion
+ 2007 ADCC winner
+ 3 KO victories
+ 13 submission wins
+ 11 first-round finishes
+ 21-2 with at least 1 takedown secured
+ Improved striking
^ Underrated left hand
+ Excellent wrestling ability
^ Solid hips, under-hooks, takedowns
+ Superb top game
^ 94 passes in 29 fights
+ Steady and smooth transitions
^ Always looks for the back

Ben Askren (19-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)

Staple info:

• Height: 5’11” Age: 35 Weight: 170 lbs. Reach: 72″
• Last fight: Knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal(July 6, 2019)
• Camp: Roufusport (Milwaukee)
• Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
• Risk management: Good

Supplemental info:

+ Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight titles
+ 2x NCAA Div. 1 national champ
+ 4x NCAA Div. 1 All-American wrestler
+ 6 KO victories
+ 6 submission wins
+ 10 first-round finishes
+ Relentless pace and pressure
^ Deceptive athleticism
+/- Developing striking game
^ Primarily uses it to make entries
+ Strong inside the clinch
^ Superb from body lock position
+ Chains together takedowns well
+ Excellent transitional grappler
^ Rides and scrambles seamlessly

Point of interest: Striking?

The main event in Singapore features an interesting matchup between two grappling specialists who could find themselves spending more time fighting on the feet than they’re used to.

A decorated grappler both in and out of the gi, Demian Maia stepped onto the MMA scene as a fighter who was still learning how to strike while on the job.

Operating out of his patented southpaw stance, we have seen a few different iterations of Maia’s striking over the years. From his kick-heavy approach under Wanderlei Silva’s wing to his more boxing-centric tactics since working with Luiz Doria (Junior Dos Santos’ boxing coach), Maia is more than competent at throwing all four of his limbs.

Sure, his initial foray of striking with high-level opposition wasn’t exactly his best stretch at middleweight (otherwise known as Maia’s “K-1 era” to hardcores), but that provided a useful experience for the Brazilian to work through any discomfort or unknowns in his game. And regardless of what weight Maia was operating at, he has always wielded a deceptively heavy left cross that Ben Askren will need to be aware of.

Askren, who made his name in the wrestling world by becoming one of two men to earn the Dan Hodge Trophy twice (amidst many other accolades), is no stranger to having an on-paper disadvantage when striking on the feet.

The former Mizzou Tiger makes no qualms about using his striking as more of a means to an end – though one has to wonder if Askren’s attitude has changed since his last fight.

In Askren’s defense, he’s shown an ability to absorb big shots and damage throughout his career, but – perfect flying knee or not – you cannot rely too heavily on your chin at the upper echelons of MMA. Thankfully for Askren, he seemed to have taken the knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal well (all things considered), not appearing to let it affect his near-unshakable confidence.

That said, Askren’s confidence, at least for me, will be the thing worth watching for in this fight.

Askren arguably lets his confidence fuel him on the feet, showing little issue when having to stalk forward into turbulent territory, occasionally throwing spinning attacks when feeling in stride. Still, with wrestling being Askren’s ultimate goal in mind, fighters who can offer up something in the counter-wrestling department have typically been the American standout’s toughest tests.

Next point of interest: Wrestling vs. presenting