Über das Forum » sional, and the longer a fight goes, the mor

UFC 202 was bananas, but now the sport rolls on. Up next: a key welterweight rematch between Carlos Condit and Demian Maia on Saturday.This high-profile 170-pound bout was actually supposed to take place at UFC 202, but it now headlines Saturdays card at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.Condit is coming off a five-round decision loss to Robbie Lawler in a championship fight. Maia, meanwhile, is riding a five-fight win streak. In addition, Anthony Pettis makes his featherweight debut against Charles Oliveira.Lets take a closer look at this weekends main card. Dont agree with these picks? Let me know on Twitter: @bokamotoESPN.Main eventCarlos Condit (30-9) vs. Demian Maia (23-6) Welterweights Odds: Condit -110; Maia -110In a way, you could almost compare a Maia takedown to a knockout artists signature haymaker in that it doesnt take many of them to win a fight.We all know what Maia wants to do and that is take Condit to the floor. And when Maia has success getting his man down, he doesnt let them back up. Its why hes absorbed a mere 12 strikes in his past three fights combined. Thats crazy.Mostly, Maias strategy to land a takedown is to shoot on his opponents lead leg. Quite often, its a naked shot -- he doesnt even set it up with strikes. He trusts in the speed at which he changes levels and his ability to chain wrestle and finish a takedown. And it is true: If Maia gets a decent grip on that lead leg, his opponents tend to go down. Against someone willing to fight off the fence, and Condit is, he might also have success working doubles there.Just to cut to the chase here, I do believe Maia can and will take Condit down. Condits takedown defense in his WEC and UFC career sits at 39 percent. He was once taken down 19 times in the span of two fights. Hes been susceptible to the lead-leg takedown before and, as mentioned previously, hell hang out along the fence. His defensive grappling is centered more around having a dangerous guard and scrambling up than it is thwarting the initial shot.Does that mean Condit is doomed? Not necessarily. Going back to the comparison between Maias takedown and a heavy hitters best punch, its most effective early. Maia is pretty one-dimensional, and the longer a fight goes, the more challenging it can be for him to score a takedown. A non-disguised single leg shot can be rather ineffective if it slows down. And this being a five-round fight against a busy opponent, Maias shot figures to slow over time.If this fight hits that moment of Maia shoots in desperation, Condit sprawls, then Maia falls immediately to his back just hoping Condit is foolish enough to follow him, the battle might be as simple as Condits patience. In that scenario, he should be able to keep it on the feet, which vastly favors him. In other words, if there comes a time when Condit really doesnt respect Maias takedown anymore, this could turn into a blowout for The Natural Born Killer in a hurry.So, big question here: Can Maia submit Condit in the earlier rounds, thus avoiding the likely proposition of having to stand with him late? That sure seems like a coin flip bet. Maias submissions are world class, but Condits only been tapped three times in 14 years.PREDICTION: Maia dominates early, but Condit storms back big. Condit by fifth-round TKO.Featured undercard boutsAnthony Pettis (18-5) vs. Charles Oliveira (21-5), featherweight Its a new weight class for Pettis, and although Oliveira is dangerous in multiple areas, I think he introduces himself in a big way. Prediction: Pettis TKO, first roundPaige VanZant (6-2) vs. Bec Rawlings (7-4), strawweight Following her success in other business opportunities, its natural to wonder whether VanZant is still fully committed to fighting. If she is, this looks like a win. If not, well know real quick. Prediction: VanZant by decisionJim Miller (26-8) vs. Joe Lauzon (26-11), lightweight Running back one of the more memorable fights of 2012. Both are coming off quick stoppages at UFC 200. Should be fun. Prediction: Lauzon via decision Nick Ritchie Jersey . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Nicolas Deslauriers Jersey . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. https://www.cheapducks.com/417c-matt-beleskey-jersey-ducks.html . Jeff Green scored 13 points and Kris Humphries 12 for the Celtics, who nearly blew an 18-point, second-half lead. Sullingers 20-20 was the first by a Celtics player since Kevin Garnetts first game in Boston in 2007. Garnett was dealt -- along with Paul Pierce -- to Brooklyn during the off-season. Custom Anaheim Ducks Jerseys . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Corey Perry Jersey . -- In one brief spurt, Brazil turned a close game into a rout and proved again it will be a strong World Cup favourite. ORLANDO, Fla. -- Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III feels so good about the American team that he said Friday it might be the best ever.Love was speaking on Sirius/XMs Fairways of Life when he said the Americans at times try too hard to win the Ryder Cup. Love said they dont have to do anything superhuman.He said: Were a great team. This is the best golf team maybe ever.The 1981 Ryder Cup team that beat Europe, 18 1/2 to 9 1/2 is regarded as the best in U.ddddddddddddS. history. It featured Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Ray Floyd, Hale Irwin and Johnny Miller. Only one of the 12 players -- Bruce Lietkze -- never won a major.Europe goes for its fourth straight victory next week at Hazeltine in Minnesota. ' ' '