Demian Maia Talks Mario Miranda Win, Hints at Move to Welterweight
by Nick Thomas on Aug 31, 2010 9:16 AM EDT
in UFC News
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"(Mario Miranda) defends really well, and in really sticky situations, where you have to defend taking blows. Sport Jiu-Jitsu is one thing, MMA is really different. He defended really well in difficult positions ... It’s something I need to fix, but credit to him, too."-- Check out the full interview at graciemag.com.
"I controlled the standup game well, landed good takedowns, but couldn’t manage to finish. I’m going to go back and contemplate that now."
"Things are all mixed up at this weight (Middleweight). At this weight, in my 15 fights, I only have two losses and to excellent athletes. I feel it’s a bit of an illusion thinking dropping weight will be easier. Who knows, I might try it out some day, but I’m not stuck on that. But for the time being, I don’t intend to."
photo via ufc.com
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Nah
I’m two inches taller with a similar build and could make 170. I don’t think he’d have a problem with it at all.
"I'm gonna go after number one, whoever it is. If it's Anderson, or I gotta go up after the guys at 205, or go on a diet and go after Jose Aldo-- it doesn't matter." -Chael Sonnen
would it help?
though i would like to see john fitch work his game against Maia…
by silent.bisonte33 on Aug 31, 2010 9:27 AM EDT reply actions
he got flashed KOed
And drop a decision to King Anderson.
by the-gentle-way on Aug 31, 2010 9:34 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
he doesnt need to move weights.
by the-gentle-way on Aug 31, 2010 9:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
And his striking/standing defense is really improving. I’m interested in a Marquardt rematch if Nate can beat Paul Harris.
"I'm gonna go after number one, whoever it is. If it's Anderson, or I gotta go up after the guys at 205, or go on a diet and go after Jose Aldo-- it doesn't matter." -Chael Sonnen
by Blackout612 on Aug 31, 2010 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I agree but
What Silva did to him will be really hard to recover from in the eyes of casual fans. Will he ever be marketable as a top contender again? I suppose they could sell a Sonnen rematch either for the title or to give him new momentum if Sonnen losses the rematch.
maybe the key to a finish with miranda would have been speed. Maia’s game that night was a very methodical calculated one. Every submission, though, has a moment of possible escape and the slower you move the longer the moment lasts. Perhaps if he threw on those armbars with aggression and speed, a la Jacare, he wouldn’t have given Miranda enough time to escape. Or maybe throw him off a bit first. Box his ears to lose focus, then submission. Like guys that use punch, punch, pass he could use punch, punch, break your arm? Of course, punching does give away control, leading to an escape….ugh, never ending cycle.
If he can make 170 it would be awesome. The top 2 ww (gsp,fitch) are wrestlers who would not want any part of maia on the ground.
the thing is
170 is stacked, both with good contenders and great prospects (John Hathaway, Jonny Hendricks, Claude Patrick).
Would I love to see Maia fight GSP/Fitch? Sure. But I think that the 185 division needs good fighters more. Just think – if Sonnen had won that fight, Maia would have been really close to the title. I even think he would do better in a Marquardt or a Silva rematch.
Mad love for Demian
He is upset he couldn’t finish. He could have easily Fitched his way to a decision, but tried numerous sub attempts to get the stoppage.
"Deserve's got nothing to do with it." -Will Munny, a known thief and murderer, a man of notoriously vicious and intemperate disposition.
by PapaBumpants on Aug 31, 2010 12:11 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I appreciated that, and am a fan of Maia. The crowd booed the lay-and-prayers, but cheered Maia except for when he slipped/flopped that one time – great crowd, clearly understood the difference between working for a win and working for a decision.
"I'd love to be a Cheick Kongo looking brother that could actually move and do a lot of funky stuff - Jiu Jitsu, takedowns, kicks and stuff." - Jon Jones.
"This is the internet: you either have soul-stopping power or you’re a pillow-fisted pansy. There is no middle ground." - woomikee
by outlander78 on Aug 31, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
sad thing is, I still hear people complaining about his fight. People want to label everyone lay n prayers these days
"You should never underestimate the predictability of stupidity."
by fr8nk the tank on Aug 31, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe in God, but if Maia had me on the ground, I’d be too busy tapping to pray (or already unconscious).
"I'd love to be a Cheick Kongo looking brother that could actually move and do a lot of funky stuff - Jiu Jitsu, takedowns, kicks and stuff." - Jon Jones.
"This is the internet: you either have soul-stopping power or you’re a pillow-fisted pansy. There is no middle ground." - woomikee
Maia-GSP would be a terrific fight, but Maia's right that there is no need for him to move down.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
Always Ready for More Maia
Maia is 100% class. I hope he doesn’t let his improving boxing distract him from the prime BJJ directive of getting the fight to the ground. Personally, I thought his match with Miranda was a fun, jiu jitsu clinic. I don’t mind if a fighter doesn’t get the submission if he is putting the effort out there like Demian does every single fight.
by burien top team on Aug 31, 2010 9:49 PM EDT reply actions
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