In a fight that’s basically what grapplers’ dreams are made of, a UFC bout between Demian Maia and Gilbert Burns is currently in the works for March, according to Combate and MMA Fighting.
Both Maia and Burns are accomplished jiu-jitsu athletes as well as MMA fighters. Burns has won IBJJF Worlds and No-Gi Worlds in addition to the UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro. He’s built himself an impressive MMA career as well, accumulating a 17-3 professional record in the sport. He’ll be coming off the momentum of four straight victories, but don’t expect Maia to be intimidated by such accomplishments.
Maia himself defeated accomplished wrestler Ben Askren via rear naked choke back in October, adding his fourteenth submission-based win to his 28-9 professional MMA record. He also became an ADCC champion back in 2007 after earning silver at the prestigious event in 2005. Should this fight come to fruition, knowledgeable fans will likely be hoping to see it go to the ground to test what these elite fighters can do to each other.
The potential welterweight fight between Burns and Maia hasn’t been finalized, but verbal agreements are reportedly in place for it to happen at UFC Brasilia on March 14.
