Demian Maia will train (not complain) following his KO loss to Nate Marquardt

by Jesse Holland on Sep 2, 2009 9:33 AM EDT

Quoteworthy:

I knew the first loss would come one day because I intend to fight for many years. As a matter of fact, though, it happened in a pretty unexpected manner because I was a little bit casual in the stand-up fight. I repeated two kicks. He got my timing down, and, the third time, he came with a straight punch and knocked me down. At the beginning of the fight, everyone is really strong, and I think the referee was right to stop the fight. I stood up well. I had no damage, and that’s most important ... But a punch to the chin, like the one I took at the beginning of the fight, is probably the only defeat you cannot make comments about. I cannot complain about anything. Now, I just have to stand up, train hard and be ready for the next challenge.

Former undefeated submission deity Demian (10-1) gathers himself after a first round knockout loss to middleweight contender Nate Marquardt at UFC 102 on August 29 in Portland. The Brazilian was headed for a possible title shot opposite Anderson Silva until a "Great" knockout punch floored him -- and any immediate title opportunities. Fortunately Maia isn't making any excuses and will use the loss as motivation to come back better than ever.

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I was surprised at how quickly Maia took the fight to the ground…haha…BTW, Nate will have no problems with Hendo if it happens

by McArthur on Sep 2, 2009 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

Completely agree although I don’t see the Silva/Marquardt match ending much different. Possibly round two instead of round one but that’s about it. Just don’t see an area where Nate the great can beat Anderson and I love Nate.

by Adam T. on Sep 2, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I hate to say it Adam but I feel the same…

by McArthur on Sep 2, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

LOL…. I didn’t think Maia would take it to the ground that fast either.

I think Nate will do better in losing to Silva, just like Rich did in his two fights, but I don’t think he’s in a position to defeat him.

Somehow charging Anderson against the fence, taking him down and getting the mount seems like the only thing to do, but thats john madden logic and would be a good formula for any fighter. But what else can you do against Silva except wait for him to retire.

by Big Zino on Sep 2, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Travis Lutter had him mounted.

by frosnt on Sep 2, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Travis Lutter was submitted…

by Choke_Him on Sep 3, 2009 3:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Maia would have had more respect for Silva’s stand up. He underestimated Nate’s. Nate lost to Silva based on Silva’s superior ground game. Silva out maneuvered Nate in grappling then landed a few of his accurate blows. Nate might have more punching power than Silva but not his level of accuracy. Also, Silva’s knees weaken even the strongest of chins.

by J on Nov 6, 2009 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

i was sad it was so quick cuz it could have been a wicked round or two..at the most..but 21 seconds is frustrating..i could not imaging training for months on end to have it over so quick..and give him a break it was his first time to lose..so no shame in that..

by sarah on Sep 2, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, that’s what happens when your training doesn’t involve keeping your hands up. Hopefully, Maia learns from this and gets his standup good enough to set up openings for the takedown.

by Mahde on Sep 2, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope Bj is taking notes on how to deal with defeat like a honorable man. Maia will bounce back and earn some more respect from fans. He should work on his karate and boxing skills, his BJJ is da sh!t.

by 2TimePennConqueror on Sep 2, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s hard not to be humble after a loss like that. I can’t imagine having put in the kind of time that he has in training and then going out like that. I hope he can climb back up the ladder quickly so that we can see him against Silva one day but I think he’d be best served by a move down to WW.

by Buster Bluth on Sep 2, 2009 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

WW wouldn’t be a bad idea Buster…he could spare 15lbs no prob…but for now who makes sense for him at MW?? Belcher?

by McArthur on Sep 2, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

The man got caught, give him a break. In a rematch he could still pull it off. Your acting like anyone is going to knock him out. And why would you say Belcher as a prospected MW for him to fight, he is no doubt one of the better MWs, he could fight just about anyone and still win. Also I wouldn’t suggest dropping down to WW because Silva is in the MW division and as a fighter I would want the strongest test possible, Maia is a fighter and will continue to fight at MW. His next opponent should be Bisping, Hendo, Yushin, or Cote.

by Cogito Ergo Sum on Sep 2, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

What’s wrong with a cut to welterweight (if you can make the cut) and a run at GSP. I’d say that is a pretty strong test. Ricardo Almeida is planning on just that. I’m not saying that the very brief Marquardt fight takes him out of any kind of contendor role. However, he won’t be seeing Anderson Silva any time in his lifetime unless he buys the UFC video game and fights him there.

by Adam T. on Sep 2, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree and I’m sure he could have a great run at WW but I’m just saying don’t act like he can’t hang with the MWs now because of this one loss, which you seem to agree with so its all good. I would still like to see him fight Anderson but your right, I don’t think its going to happen since Silva will be fighting Hendo then Marquardt, then Yushin and different LHWs and HWs in between.

by Cogito Ergo Sum on Sep 2, 2009 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

You’re right, a loss to Maruardt isn’t anything to be ashamed of, and doesn’t mean he can’t hang w/ any of the other MWs anymore. But if he can make the cut to WW, I say go for it. He’d be a beast, and GSP needs contenders.

by Jase on Sep 2, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Don’t get on the guys case after one loss. Shit happens, he’ll be fine. Man you guys are tough on fighters lately. One loss and they better move to a differnet division?? That’s not right.

by UFC Champ on Sep 2, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

If the cut can be made, do it. If you don’t then you are probably at a disadvantage to the other fighters in your division. There is nothing wrong with that Champ.

by Adam T. on Sep 2, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Why do you think it is that guys are constantly trying to move down in weight? Unless you’re Anderson Silva or somebody trying to avoid Anderson Silva (Rich Franklin) fighting at the lowest weight possible (while still being effective) should be the objective.

by Adam T. on Sep 2, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

exactly Adam…they lose fat to gain speed, flexibility, endurance, and and mobility…if your already cut like a diamond then maybe not but I don’t think anyone can say that Maia couldn’t stand to lose a pound or 2

by McArthur on Sep 2, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Like I said I don’t mind if he cuts down but the I believe the point of fighting is to test your limits. The fighters should be given the choice of what weight class they’d like to fight at and not forced to fight what the UFC wants. I would like to see Penn fighting at WW, GSP at MW, Silva at HW, and any other number of fighters jumping in weight class. The only real problem with cutting that I have is how unhealthy it is for you. Cutting really does a number on your body.

by Cogito Ergo Sum on Sep 2, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

He needs to improve on his standup and overall skill, dropping weight won’t turn him into a great standup fighter or anything..

by RoBerto on Sep 2, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

The talk of Maia moving to WW is absurd. He is extremely lean fighting at 185. Maia was overly concerned with showing some sort of standup game and got reckless. He was no doubt aware some of the other BJJ specialists had shown poorly in terms of fight action as of late, and wanted to at least paint the allusion he was willing to stand and trade. Big mistake, as we all witnessed.

There is a silly mindset on a lot of these threads, where if a fighter loses a fight, he immediately falls to the bottom of the pile, or must immediately drop a weight class to be relevant. Loses happen to ALL fighters eventually. People shouldn’t throw a fighter in the scrap heap for a loss, even a lop-sided beatdown, not should they anoint any fighter after a win as being the second coming.

by CL on Sep 2, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

goop post cl

by john G on Sep 2, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Belcher is a decent name to get him back up the ladder but personally I’d like to see a jitz showdown with Palhares…that would be a sick ground war.

Another sick ground war would be if he went to WW and fought Hazelett as well.

by Buster Bluth on Sep 2, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

good call re Palharas…start that fight on the mat

by McArthur on Sep 2, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

i agree. that said, i think his humility would be evident regardless of whether he won the fight or (in this case) not. he’s just classy like that. he doesn’t even fall back on the tried and tested ‘i got caught’ (which isn’t a bad line in itself, but some fighters use it with the implication that the other guy ‘got lucky’…imho)…he just matter of factly says “…a punch to the chin, like the one I took at the beginning of the fight, is probably the only defeat you cannot make comments about. I cannot complain about anything.” good…now go work on your stand up and kick some @$$! can i get a what-what?!

by joeyvitaminb12 on Sep 2, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t have a problem with fighters saying they got caught…it’s basically an admission that they made a mistake and their opponent took advantage of it…which is basically how any fight gets finished…someone doesn’t defend properly and they get caught out of position and pay the price for it.

by Buster Bluth on Sep 2, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

however, theres a fine line between 1) having a mental lapse exploited by your opponent and 2) ending up on the short end of a flurry of exchanges (leading to a knockout) or scramble (leading to a sub). i'd put maia in category 1, which would permit him to use the 'i got caught' line. but he didn't use it and that's my point: he's classy.

by joeyvitaminb12 on Sep 2, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree…Maia is all class that’s for sure and it’s refreshing to see a fighter as humble in defeat as he is in victory.

by Buster Bluth on Sep 2, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree.

He’s obviously uber talented on the ground and needs to work his stand up. But it is refreshing when professional athletes act like professionals.

I like Maia even more now because of his response to his loss. He’ll be back and I’ll watch his fights.

Maybe Maia can flying kneebar someone like Ryo Chonan if he can’t get the boxing skills up there.

by Big Zino on Sep 2, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe next fight he won’t stand and trade.

by frosnt on Sep 2, 2009 9:48 AM EDT reply actions

all fights start standing man…it was 21 sec into the fight…what did you expect? Nates hard enough to take down at any point let alone the first minute when he is fresh

by McArthur on Sep 2, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

As you mentioned that is how they all start and that it is when he is at his most vulnerable. Nate Quarry should have been smarter in his fight although, he did the same thing with McDonald but was lucky enough to land on top, and deliver a brutal elbow beating. Maia is just as dangerous as ever, nearly all fighters apart from the super hard headed (I am now putting Ed Herman in that category)would have been dropped by a shot like that.

by Ade on Sep 2, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

This guy is a class act!!!

by The Juice on Sep 2, 2009 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

Maia should lock himself in a boxing gym for a couple of months.

by A Lynch on Sep 2, 2009 10:00 AM EDT reply actions

If maia masters striking, then he’ll be an animal. as far as him having a showdown with any jits guy in the ufc, it wouldn’t even come close. he’s that far ahead of them all.

by vinrex7 on Sep 2, 2009 10:12 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah i completly agree, if he got to top level boxing ability, he’d be dangerous a s f**k, i like maia though probably like nate the same, but i still wanna see vinnie ( tuf ) and maia rolling, that would be a treat – going for my blue belt under renzo gracie btw ( canada baby )

by apex103 on Sep 2, 2009 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

Classy comments. He’s a pro allright… take the loss, move on, go get the win next time.

by Sir Chokemout on Sep 2, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

ditto

by UFC Champ on Sep 2, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Class from the man. Fair play.

by Maynard on Sep 2, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

If that’s how easy it was for marquardt to time Maia’s standup then it’s obvious how easily Silva would have dealt with it. Marquardt-Silva, much better matchup!

by sdow on Sep 2, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

Provigil….

Is there a cheaper med similar to provigil. Provigil caused depression. Using provigil to stay up for days. Can provigil be used for anixty. Provigil….

by Provigil. on Nov 12, 2009 10:15 AM EST reply actions