In a previous article, I discuss the upcoming match between Shinya Aoki and Rob McCullough. I explained both fighters as
Demian Maia, one of Brazil's top sports jiu jitsu black belt, was featured on the preparation of the UFC 136 this weekend against Jorge Santiago sulit. Maia is a former ADCC and several times World Cup champion in BJJ black belt. Grappling credentials are without doubt some of the best in the sport. However, even though he has the upper hand after the fight in the UFC hit the ground, he could not have gained any violation is truly effective in terms of delivery, although several refutations of throws. Maia ended up winning the fight via unanimous decision, largely because of the refutations of throws and control over land, but he never came close to completing Santiago. In fact, Maia difficulty completing his last few. He came close in the final fight with Mark Munoz, and tried many submissions against Kendall Grove and Mario Miranda, but failed to hand over one of the athletes. The last time the opponent is Demian submitted February 2009, when he choked is currently the number one contenders Chael Sonnen.
Before Maia's victory over the Sonnen, he has been full of additional four straight handing victory in the UFC. At that time, if the opponent to the ground looks like Maia conclusion that his enemy is about to be knocked out or lying on the floor of the triangle or the naked rear courtesy choke. So what's different about Demian Maia today? He's been worse in jiu jistu? Of course not. He is still one of the most skilled practitioners of jiu jitsu in Brazil in MMA. Explanation makes more sense for why we see the finished less than Brazil's opponents he faces today in the upper echelons of Division. They are more skilled than he fought in the UFC's early career and, while not at the same level as a Maia, jiu jitsu skills their Brazil enough to withstand the Maia's surrender of the threat. Mario Miranda, for example, has competed in the ADCC and put up a good fight against people like Marcelo Garcia and Robert Drysdale. Jorge Santiago and dan Miller both highly skilled black belt as well, and all the fighter has a wealth of experience and exceptional athletes, the attribute Maia's the opponent may not have previously.
Check clothes to MMA
Another reason to settle lower Maia's ratios of late is the increased confidence in his ability. Demian has worked with some of the best in the business to increase his standup, including a stint with a stick against the team, and more recently he has been training with Luiz Dorea and Junior Dos Santos on the team black House. While his striking still leaves much to be desired, it has increased; and with this improvement came a willingness to stand and trade offensive by his opponent. We no longer see the sense of urgency to deal with and bring against the ground as in His previous UFC. This is all part of the transformation of Maia's of specialists into a true MMA fighter, and while it perhaps accounts partly for completing the lower ratio, he should be commended for his efforts to become a martial artist that is more complete. Someday we may even see Maia rack up some victories KO!