With every passing fight, it is becoming abundantly clear that Demian Maia is one of the top contenders in the UFC’s middleweight division. The Brazilian will battle it out with Nate Marquardt at UFC 102 to determine who is behind Dan Henderson for a shot at Anderson Silva’ UFC middleweight title.
“The other guys I’ve faced I consider very tough, excellent fighters, and he’s another one, but, for sure he’s the toughest of them. He’s a complete fighter and very aggressive,” Maia said of his dangerous opponent.
Maia holds a perfect 10-0 record, and most importantly has finished all but one of his opponents before the fight’s final bell. His latest victim was former WEC middleweight top contender Chael Sonnen at UFC 95. It took Maia less than three minutes to submit the Team Quest fighter in the first round of their battle.
And the secret to his success?
“I believe in what I do and train,” stated Maia. “A lot of guys train, but don’t believe it’ll work, that they’ll have to fight [standing], but I believe that I’ll get [in the Octagon] to do my jiu-jitsu, not to fight standing. Of course I’m ready to strike, but, if [I don't] need to strike and do a classic jiu-jitsu, it’s better.”
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