Jorge Masvidal has established himself as one of the top contenders in the UFC’s welterweight division. After suffering two split decision losses to Ben Henderson and Lorenz Larkin, “Gamebred” has rattled off three straight wins, including consecutive stoppages of Jake Ellenberger and Donald Cerrone. Masvidal is now set for a big showdown with Demian Maia at UFC 211 on May 13th, and as he told BJ Penn Radio, he believes he has what it takes to hang with the BJJ specialist on the ground.

“Just how people were surprised about my striking against Cowboy, they’re going to be even more surprised by my grappling in this fight,” Masvidal said (transcription by MMA Mania). “You can’t beat a guy like Maia unless you can grapple at that level. And most of the dudes – especially the guys he’s fought – are not at that level of defensive wrestling or defensive jiu jitsu to beat him. I know that I am. I know that in every position we could come to in MMA, I’m going to out-position this guy. I’m going to out-will him, and then he’s going to give in to the fatal blow.”

The Ellenberger and Cerrone victories marked the first time that Masvidal had scored consecutive stoppage wins since 2008. Only Nate Marquardt has been able to stop Maia over the course of his thirty-fight career, but Masvidal believes he’s not just going to finish the Brazilian, he doesn’t foresee their fight lasting into the final round.

“I’m going to kick his ass, really bad,” said Masvidal. “It doesn’t make it through the third round. I don’t know if it’s the first, I don’t know if it’s the second, but it doesn’t make it through the third.”

UFC 211 is headlined by a heavyweight title fight between Stipe Miocic and Junior dos Santos. The co-main event will feature strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk against Jessica Andrade.