It’s safe to say Demian Maia has made a successful transition from grappling sensation to mixed martial arts star.

In fact, he’s made it look way too easy.

As a submission grappler he accumulated a laundry list of accomplishments in jiu-jitsu, including seven state championships in Brazil, a Brazilian national championship, two world championships, three World Cup championships, a Pan American Championship, and a ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship for good measure.

In other words, he is one of the most accomplished submission grapplers on the planet. Perhaps Maia was too good, prompting him to pursue new challenges in the form of MMA a few years ago.

In 2005, he began his professional career and rattled off five consecutive victories. The UFC took notice, signing him to a fight contract just about 24 months later. And he hasn’t let up since.

Maia has been extremely impressive, winning five consecutive UFC fights all by way of submission (no surprise). In four of those fights he also won the "Submission of the Night" monetary award from the UFC management.

He now finds himself knocking on the door of a potential title shot in the middleweight division currently ruled by fellow Brazilian Anderson "The Spider" Silva.

The man standing in his way of that potential opportunity of a lifetime is none other than UFC veteran Nate Marquardt whom he will meet on the main card at UFC 102 this Saturday, Aug. 29 in Portland, Oregon.

Make no mistake about it: Marquardt will be the toughest test of Maia’s career up to this point.

The fight will also serve as a gauge as to how far along Maia’s training has progressed into becoming a more well-rounded fighter with fewer holes in his game.

Will he be able to go strike-for-strike with Marquardt on their feet if needed? Will he be able to bypass the strength and wrestling skill of Marquardt and get the fight to the ground where he is most comfortable?

These questions will be answered Saturday night.

For now, we’ll answer a few others with the help of Demian, who was able to take some time out of his hectic fight week schedule to address his evolving skill set, getting a title shot, how to beat Anderson Silva, and UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

Check it out:

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You’re known primarily as a jiu-jitsu fighter. With that being said what is your favorite submission to use?

Demian Maia: I really don’t have any favorite submissions. What the opponent gives to me is what I will take.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Some of the mainstream MMA fans in the United States find it hard to appreciate a guy with a phenomenal ground game. A lot of them would much rather prefer to see two guys slug it out. What do you have to say to those fans out there who are struggling to appreciate a guy like yourself?

Demian Maia: Actually I don’t feel that. I feel like everybody likes my fights. They want to see just an exciting fight. It doesn’t matter where (it takes place). The problem is that too many people think it’s always going to be exciting fighting. I always tell that guys like my way of fight.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Going back to Nate Marquardt. We all know he is a very well-rounded fighter and comes from a great camp. If you had to pick one, what would you say his biggest weakness is?

Demian Maia: I don’t think he has weaknesses. He is complete.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You’ve been competing in MMA for a few years now. Obviously. when you’re competing in grappling tournaments you don’t have guys punching and kicking you. As a result, have you adjusted your jiu-jitsu to tailor it more towards MMA? If so, what specifically have you changed?

Demian Maia: Yes, of course we have. Since I started training jiu-jitsu we always trained a lot of MMA. Jiu-jitsu was made for self defense. We were training with punches and kicks and that kind. The only big complication is that in jiu-jitsu we don’t have to think about that but in the training we always used to do.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Can you win this fight with Nate if you guys are standing the whole time or do you have to get the fight to the ground?

Demian Maia: I prefer to get the fight to the ground for sure.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate your standup at this juncture in your career?

Demian Maia: I think it’s about five right now, but I’m working hard.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): What is your official prediction for the fight?

Demian Maia: I don’t like to do that, but I hope to win by submission.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): The word on the street is that Dan Henderson is getting the next title shot against Anderson Silva. Do you think there is a chance that the winner of your fight Saturday could leapfrog Henderson and get that shot if one of you pulls off an impressive performance and convinces the UFC otherwise?

Demian Maia: Yeah, I think so. I think I need to change the fans mind and if I get the fans mind they (the UFC) will agree.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Nobody has been able to figure out Anderson so far. He’s been the middleweight champ for a long time. Is he vulnerable and if so, how can he be beaten?

Demian Maia: He’s a man like everyone else. He can be beaten stand up or striking, but he’s very hard to beat in both places. Even in his grappling game, which isn’t as good as his striking.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): So he would be in trouble on the ground against a guy like yourself who is a world class jiu-jitsu fighter?

Demian Maia: Yes, for sure. I’m not saying he’s easy. He’s very good on the ground but of course he’s vulnerable. If he fights with me he will be vulnerable.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): What did you think of Anderson’s performance against Forrest Griffin at UFC 101?

Demian Maia: It was amazing like he always is. He’s amazing when he fights, especially his striking game.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Before I go I also wanted to ask you about Frank Mir. I know Frank is a guy you helped train for his UFC 100 fight with Brock Lesnar. What did you think of Frank’s performance that night?

Demian Maia: I think it’s hard to fight a guy like Brock. He’s very heavy and very athletic and a very good wrestler. Frank won and then Brock won again and I think they could fight again.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you think anyone in the UFC can beat Brock Lesnar going forward?

Demian Maia: Of course. I think Frank has (a chance to win). Even Couture does. Minotauro (Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira) does. A lot of heavyweights have a chance to beat him.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): That is all I had for you Demian. Is there anything you would like to pass along to your fans out there or any sponsors you would like to thank?

Demian Maia: I just want to say thank you to Bad Boy my new sponsor. Thank you for everybody who appreciates my game.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Thank you for the time Demian and best of luck on Saturday.

Demian Maia: Okay, thank you very much, Derek.

Derek Bolender is a contributor to MMAmania.com and InsideFights.com. He is also syndicated to CBSSports.com and CNNSI.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DerekMMAwriter and Facebook.com/Derek.Bolender.