"You know, without going into too much of my game plan, I am never going to be an Ernesto Hoost-level kickboxer; I assure you of that. But one of the biggest misnomers I have seen is that people think I can't strike. I got arms that end right above my elbow and I have had an over 400-pound butterfly press. I assure you can strike (and) I can defend myself. As far as the grappling goes, I got my blue belt about two years ago and I'm training with a world champion, Paul Creighton, whose fought BJ Penn. So, as far as conditioning goes, I think I've got the upper hand. I'm fighting in a bigger weight class than I have ever competed in before, but I still feel pretty healthy. You know, in high school I wrestled at 103 (pounds) and this fight is going to be at 135. I have been able to put on the weight as efficiently as I could without losing too much speed and mobility. So, I feel confident. The cards are there for me to go out and have a pretty awesome performance ... I think that one of advantage I have is that I have got the ability to prepare for (his opponent) in any different situation and he really doesn't have a clue what I am going to bring to the fight."
-- Kyle Maynard, discussing his upcoming MMA debut under amateur rules in Alabama with AOL Fanhouse.
I suppose there is some sort of adapted system, but traditionally blue belts in jiu-jitsu have to master a wide range of chokes, grips, passes and other forms of control that all involve the gi. Eddie Bravo has a no-gi belt system and perhaps others do as well, but unless Maynard is pulling off lapel and Ezekial chokes he should qualify that blue belt somewhat.