Dong Hyun Kim: I think Demian Maia is easiest opponent in Top 10

Dong Hyun Kim

SEOUL – UFC welterweight Dong Hyun Kim is on the comeback trail and thinks a rematch with Demian Maia would jumpstart his title run.

“I think that out of all the Top 10 that (Maia) would be the easiest to beat,” Kim, nicknamed “Stun Gun,” said via translator at the post-event news conference for UFC Fight Night 79.

Kim (21-3-1 MMA, 12-3 UFC) had little trouble dispatching Dominic Waters (9-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC) in the co-main event of Saturday’s fight card, tossing the short-notice replacement to the mat and securing a crucifix he used for a TKO finish at the 3:11 mark of the first round. UFC Fight Night 79 took place at Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul and streamed on UFC Fight Pass.

“I tried to look at every option to baffle my opponent,” Kim said. “I have many different strategies that are available. Anyone who tries to beat me, you have to look out for your back, and your sides.”

Originally, Kim was scheduled to face Jorge Masvidal, who was recruited for a headliner against ex-lightweight champ Benson Henderson when Thiago Alves withdrew due to injury. Waters was called up four months after a UFC debut that ended in a decision loss to George Sullivan at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale.

Although confident of victory on Saturday night, Kim admitted to dodging something of a bullet with the switch.

“If I had fought Masvidal, I believe the fight would have been much more difficult for me,” he said. “Henderson fought Masvidal very well, and both fighters were very tough. Even though I didn’t fight Masvidal, I’m sure I would have beat him.”

Kim feels he will do the same if paired against Maia, who’s one spot ahead of him in the NOS Energy Drink MMA welterweight rankings.

In his post-fight interview, Kim called out Maia for another go-around, which he hopes will turn out differently than their first meeting. At UFC 148 in 2012, Kim was stopped in 47 seconds after suffering a severe muscle spasm. Since then, Maia, a onetime middleweight title challenger, has gone 6-2 as a welterweight while Kim is 6-1.

It appears the only immediate roadblock to a rematch is Maia’s schedule, which has him facing Gunnar Nelson next month at UFC 194.

Should the Brazilian get past Nelson, however, the timing appears to be right for another dance with “Stun Gun.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 79, check out the UFC Events section of the site.