Do people actually want to see Georges/Maia? It would be a repeat of GSP/Shields 1st two rounds or Weidman/Maia. I'll pass on that one.
A few things spring to mind:
- Shields was almost robbed against GSP despite showcasing the speed of Bigfoot with the athleticism of McKenzie and the striking of Shields.
- Maia is significantly better than Shields at everything and has looked unstoppable since moving to WW (fact). Shields would've lost to Kampmann had Dana not paid him off (debatable).
- Weidman might dethrone the GOAT(!) and fought Maia at the low-point of his unfortunate scrapper phase, doesn't count.
- Unlike Jake Shields, Maia is actually good at closing distance, clinch takedowns and submissions. GSP can't purely rely on his athleticism to defend trips like with singles and doubles.
Rory is the only WW with a solid shot at taking out GSP, but Maia is the 2nd most compelling matchup.