UFC's Demain Maia looks to get back to his submission roots at Brazil event in 2012

by Adam Guillen Jr. on Nov 28, 2011 7:45 PM EST in UFC News

Photo of Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Demain Maia doing what he does best.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) champion, four-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) "Submission of the Night" winner and all around submission savant.

Demian Maia definitely has the credentials to be considered one of the best submission artists in the world, let alone the most talented grappler in mixed martial arts (MMA).

Maia burst onto the UFC scene with five straight submission victories, collecting four "Submission of the Night" checks in the process. Maneuvering on the ground with unmatched smoothness and locking in his opponents with submissions so tight that evens the jaws of life couldn't pry them free, Maia can truly lay claim to be one of the most decorated jiu-jitsu players in the world.

However, after his impressive start, Maia has failed to make any opponent tap in three years. In fact, Maia hasn't finished an opponent in his last four wins, with his last four victories coming via decision.

With his recent lack of executing submission finishes, is Maia in danger of losing his appeal? Or does it even matter as long as he gets the victory?

Speaking to Tatame.com, Maia says he always looks for the submission victory when he steps inside the Octagon, but because of the high level of competition in the UFC, it's easier said than done

"That's my trademark and I want to submit again. If it depended exclusively on me (laughs)... I do my best on the trainings to get it, but we can't forget on the other side of the ring there's an opponent who's always getting better and better on a high level in the UFC. Despite I always want to submit them, finish it earlier, I can't complain. I must be humble and accept that there'll always be a well-prepared person, too."

Maia, who is currently without an opponent, hopes to one day fight in his native country Brazil, which will host UFC 142 at the HSBC Arena on Jan. 14, 2012:

"I'm not that worried about where I'm fighting and when; however, what I wanted was to fight until February to keep my rhythm. It'd be good to fight in Rio and we're doing some negotiation, but it depends on some things about UFC, so let it be. I know I'll eventually fight in Brazil. If it's not on this one, there'll be another one in Sao Paulo, probably in the middle of the year. What, to me, would mean the most, due to the fact it'll be in my hometown. I guess there'll be three events in Brazil next year, so it'd be a natural thing for me to fight here."

Maia made his UFC debut in 2007 at UFC 77 with a rear naked choke submission victory over Ryan Jensen in the very first round. Six months later, Maia cashed in on yet another award-winning performance as he literally put Ed Herman to sleep at UFC 83 with a triangle choke (and a few blows to the head for good measure).

The jiu-jitsu ace then reeled off two consecutive rear-naked choke victories over Jason McDonald and Nate Quarry in a span of three months at UFC 87 and UFC 91, respectively. Maia's last submission victory came at UFC 95 in 2009, when he locked in an air-tight triangle on Chael Sonnen that had the former number one contender tapping for air in the very first round.

Submitting folks has proved to be a rather lucrative trade for Maia, as he has collected nearly a quarter-million ($215,000) total throughout his tenure with the promotion with his four "Submission of the Night" bonus checks.

Maia's hot start was cooled off by Nate Marquardt at UFC 102 on Aug. 29, 2009 when "The Great" knocked him out just 21 seconds into the first round. Since then, Maia has gone 4-2 in the UFC, which includes a unanimous decision loss to UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi.

Even though Maia is currently without an opponent lined up, it would be wise for him to brush up on his jiu-jitsu skills. He appears to be focused on returning to his submission roots, and there's no better place to do it then where it all began.

But, against who?

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Comments

I really like Maia

He has great BJJ and he is working very hard on his striking. Wish him all the best and hope to see him get a W at home.

by detroit_fan on Nov 28, 2011 7:50 PM EST reply actions

after the Marquardt ko

Maia hasn’t quite been the same fighter. for wins or losses, the results of each fight has been a decision. nothing like his dominating game submitting and winning five times consecutively. cant believe the guy is 34. i dont really see him making another run for the title.

by daftshadow on Nov 29, 2011 1:25 AM EST up reply actions

Demain Maia? let's try Demian kid

Maia VS Palhares provided he beats the guy he’s facing.

I buried Banago.
A. Silva

by Lance Storm on Nov 28, 2011 7:53 PM EST reply actions

I know Paul Harris is very technical, but when it comes to pure BJJ technique Maia is a Helio Gracie wetdream

Toquinho brings a lot more power to the table, though. This is a match-up that could already start on the mat and I’d have no complaints about it.

The only thing I fear about it is that it is very common among brazilian fighter who are known for having a killer ground game to say “fuck it, let’s see who’s best with the subpar striking”.

"How much can you know about yourself, if you've never been in a fight?"

by RRRenan on Nov 28, 2011 9:10 PM EST up reply actions

Nice job with that lance

-deeleesh and nutreesh-

by wooly shambler on Nov 28, 2011 8:27 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I believe Maia has lost some dexterity along with his new muscleframe

could easily affect his submission-game

"It's just an abounded mineshaft! You just go climb aound in it!

by peseg on Nov 28, 2011 9:02 PM EST reply actions

FUCK BISPING

Not only because he’s annoying but also cause who has he beating to deserve a shot? Let’s look at the people he’s beating
Eric Schafer

Elvis Sinosic

Matt Hamill

Charles McCarthy

Jason Day

Chris Leben

Denis Kang

Dan Miller

Yoshihiro Akiyama

Jorge Rivera

Wow that list is filled with top fighters there’s only two good fighters from that list but we all know Hamill won that fight and Leben was all wacky at that time plus if he beat mayhem then he gets a title shot? Why mayhem isn’t all that great as well. The only reason Bisping is even getting these pushes and being baby thru the ufc is because Dana White needs him for the UK fans ONLY
Yeah he only been stopped once I’m the ufc but its because he’s fought a buch of no ones he’s been baby his whole career
How come he never fought Marquardt, Maia, Sonnen, Monoz, or Okami instead
OUT OF BISPING’S 11 WINS: 6 OF THEM ARE NOT IN THE UFC ANYMORE, AKIYAMA IS ON A 3 FIGHT LOSING STREAK WITH ONLY ONE DESCENT WIN AGAINST BELCHER. MILLER HAS NO IMPRESSIVE FIGHTS. RIVERA IS OLD AS HELL AND HASN’T BEAT NO ONE. SCHAFER BEATEN HOUSTON ALEXANDER… WOW SEE WHAT I MEN HE’S BE BABY HIS CAREER THEN THEY GIVE HIM EVANS, HENDERSON, AND SILVA AND CAN’T BEAT ANY TOP FIGHTER AND NOW WHAT IF HE BEATS MILLER (WHO HASN’T BE NO AS WELL BY THE WAY) HE GETS A TITLE SHOT? BABY BABY BABY HIS WHOLE UFC CAREER

Check out my labia slap my shoulder blades when I run at labiabladeslappers.com

by arm.bar.bandit on Nov 28, 2011 9:33 PM EST reply actions

lol

by ClinchKing on Nov 28, 2011 9:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Lazy sack of shit!

Do your own trolling! that’s whats wrong with this country, no one wants to carry their own load! next you’ll have a Mexican doing your trolling For you? wtf?

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." George Bernard Shaw

by Fat Daddy Doobs on Nov 28, 2011 9:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions