Demian Maia vs. Jorge Santiago Planned for UFC 136 in Houston
Two Brazilian middleweights will meet in Houston this October at UFC 136. Submission ace Demian Maia announced on Twitter today than he'll face fellow BJJ black belt, Jorge Santiago.
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Jorge Santiago tells Tatame that he thinks he can submit BJJ ace, Demian Maia, in their upcoming...
Jorge Santiago tells Tatame that he thinks he can submit BJJ ace, Demian Maia, in their upcoming bout at UFC 136 in Houston this October:
How are your training for the fight going?
Right after the fight was over (against Brian Stann), I took some time off and started training it step by step. I’m still not playing his game, I’m just doing a strong basic preparation. I hope to do a great fight with him. Demian wants to show his striking, so I’ll enjoy trading punches with him too.
Do you believe he’ll want to bang with you?
I don’t know. For what I could tell about his last fight, he really likes striking, but he’s strongest point is his Jiu-Jitsu. If we must strike, let’s do it.
What are your thoughts about his Jiu-Jitsu?
He has an excellent ground game. I’ve watched his fights for a long time, he has a good ground game, but mine ain’t any worst. I still haven’t had the chance to show it in MMA, but I can fight him on the floor. My ground game is focused in MMA, I don’t only work on the guard, use it to sweep… If you are not careful, I’ll get you and you’ll tap out.
You’re not afraid of Demian while on the floor?
No… If he makes a mistake, I’ll submit him.
UFC 136 coverage
Jorge Santiago reflects on his loss to Brian Stann at UFC 130, and tells Tatame he may have...
Jorge Santiago reflects on his loss to Brian Stann at UFC 130, and tells Tatame he may have overlooked the American:
"I guess what went wrong is that I was too confident. I didn’t feel the pressure by the fans, of having everybody staring at me. I was to at ease, I thought it’d be easy and I lost focus. I didn’t do what I could’ve done. The guys that train with me and are part of my team, like Gesias (Cavalcante), said I didn’t do half what I could. It was his big day. Next time I won’t let it happen", said the Brazilian, adding the fact he knew what he had to do so don’t lose it.
"They (UFC promoters) haven’t say anything (about the next bout), but they liked the bout, and you can tell it because they considered it the best of the evening. There were many good things about it, it was a busy bout, which is something that the fans enjoy".
"He’s a pro, a good man, who’s been improving a lot and so, he’s taking larger steps now. I guess that for what he knows about me, he’s aware I wasn’t at my best. He said back there (on UFC’s backstage). He hoped more from me."
Photo: AP/Julie Jacobson
Sergio Hernandez has a nice piece on MMA Mania detailing Jorge Santiago's amazing run outside the...
Sergio Hernandez has a nice piece on MMA Mania detailing Jorge Santiago's amazing run outside the UFC from 2006 to 2010. If you're wondering who Santiago is and why he's coming back into the UFC on the main card, your questions will be answered.
