Demian Maia ready for his biggest challenge

By Guilherme Cruz

Photo Josh Hedges

With five submissions victories in the UFC, Demian Maia will have a tough challenge at UFC 102. Against Nate Marquardt, who won six out of eight fights in the octagon, the black belt knows it won’t be easy, but he’s ready. “I think it’ll probably be my toughest challenge. Fight is fight, we can’t know what’s going to happen in there, but I think it’ll be my biggest challenge”, said Demian, commenting the training in the USA.

“Everything fine, great. All the guys I fought in the UFC were tough, but Nate is exceptional. I’m training here with Wanderlei (Silva) for almost three weeks with my coaches, (Rafael) Alejarra”, told the black belt. If he puts out another submission victory, Demian will be pointed as one of the best BJJ guys in the MMA of all times.

“It’s a natural evolution of the sport. I come from the high level jiu-jitsu and I’m managing to impose my game, but I still train other things like everyone else, but the jiu-jitsu is my main weapon. As I came from the high level jiu-jitsu for competitions, I can put it in my MMA game”, says the middleweight fighter.

In case he wins the eleventh fight in the undefeated career, the Brazilian will have more chances to earn a title shot against Anderson Silva. Waiting for the opportunity, Demian commented Silva’s last victory, against Forrest Griffin. “Anderson is a genius, exceptional. In this weight (205), it looks like his punch is even stronger, because in both fights he did he knockout. He’s an icon of the sport”, finished.