UFC Quick Quote: Demian Maia calls on 'Batista' to help him train for Kendall Grove

No, not the former WWE wrestler:

"It may hinder or may help. Truth is that it’s something different. Só I’m training with taller people and taking the opportunity to adapt to it. But I don’t feel it’ll be harder or easier, just different. Ednaldo Lula, who fights in the WFE promotion, is helping me. He is over two meters tall. But I also called on (Aldo) Batista, Antonio Peinado, who just won the Brazilian No-Gi Nationals. He’s going to help me. He’s not quite as tall as Kendall, but he’s really tall and long-limbed. I also have some tall students who are helping me out."

-- Submission specialist Demian Maia tells Graciemag that he's called on a few of his lankier friends to help him train for his upcoming middleweight showdown with Kendall Grove at The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale on Dec. 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Maia stands just 6'0" tall with a 72 inch reach, while his Hawaiian opponent towers at 6'6" and boasts an impressive 79 inch wingspan. Just two fights removed from a title shot against Anderson Silva at UFC 112, the grappling wizard looks to make his way back up the ladder to the top of the division. Will his gangly training partners be enough to prepare him for the long limbs of "Da Spyder?" Or will Grove use his length to keep his Brazilian counterpart at bay and touch him up with strikes for three rounds? Sound off, Maniacs.