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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
"Jiu-jitsu is my origin, so I will always look for the submission and to control the fight. In this martial art we love so much, we look to tap our opponent out, not hurt him with strikes. Of course I'm there to win, but this mentality is completely intertwined with me. I will hardly try to hurt my adversary rather than submit him. That's a part of jiu-jitsu and that's why it's the best martial art in the world. As an athlete, I must improve that... It's not up to me to choose my fights. I would like to do main events or co-main events as much as I can. I know I still have some years left in me and I want to do my best to go for that belt before my time is up."
-After his win over Ryan LaFlare last weekend, Demian Maia talked to Combate in Brazil and explained why his ground mindset kept him from being more effective offensively at UFC Fight Night 62 (translated by Lucas Rezende at BloodyElbow.com).
Penick's Analysis: That's one of the benefits for wrestlers who have developed jiu jitsu defense in this sport, because they're more likely to develop the striking on the ground. They don't have that same mentality of trying to find the submission first that Maia describes here. It's something that could handcuff Maia a bit as he's trying to make his way up, because there were openings for him to do a lot more against LaFlare that he failed to capitalize on. Still, he's so good in his jiu jitsu game that his control ability makes a huge difference in those fights.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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