If you’re worried the Ben Askren vs. Demian Maia fight at UFC on ESPN+ 20 is going to turn into a kickboxing match between grapplers, Duke Roufus is adamant that won’t be the case.
Roufus, who is Askren’s head coach at Roufusport gym in Milwaukee, Wisc., is confident his fighter is going to try to attack Maia (27-9 MMA, 21-9 UFC) in the area where they both shine brightest in the welterweight headliner this October.
“I like that fight for Ben,” Roufus told MMA Junkie. “And here’s the thing: Ben is going to try to out grapple him, because that’s who Ben is.”
Askren (19-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is set to meet Maia in a five-round bout at UFC on ESPN+ 20, which takes place Oct. 26 at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. The main card will stream on ESPN+.
The fight marks Askren’s return to the octagon after he suffered a five-second knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal to end his 19-fight winning streak. Maia, meanwhile, is coming of back-to-back wins over Anthony Rocco Martin and Lyman Good.
Not many of Maia’s past opponents have been keen to engage with him on the floor by choice, but Roufus said the ever-confident Askren will go right at him in hopes of proving his grappling superiority.
“For sure it’s a grappling fan’s dream,” Roufus said. “I know Ben very well and he’s the guy who enjoys going into the eye of the hurricane.”
