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Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:25 pm EDT

Countdown to UFC 102: Marquardt may be battling two foes

By Steve Cofield

Demian Maia’s submission game has been so awesome in his five UFC fights, the name of legendary Brazilian jiu-jitsu magician Royce Gracie is beginning to get thrown around. That’s a huge compliment. Gracie was light years ahead of the competition, who were sideswiped by the BJJ game of the frail looking Brazilian back in the early 90's.

Maia works on his striking and overall game with Wanderlei Silva at his gym in Las Vegas. Silva raves about Maia's game during tonight's Countdown to UFC 102 on Spike TV (11 p.m. ET/PT):

"Demian is an unbelievable jiu-jitsu guy, I’m 20 pounds more than him and he plays with me on the ground. He’s unbelievable and I’m a black belt."

With all the training and expertise now available to MMA fighters, it might be even more impressive that Maia is that far ahead of the current class. His opponent at UFC 102 Nate Marquardt is a decorated grappler, but to man, his camp believes that Nate "The Great" better play to his big advantage on the feet. That’s easier said than done in the fight world. A fighter never wants to be told that he can’t hang in all areas of the game. During Countdown to UFC 102 tonight it’s interesting to hear Marquardt’s trainers at Jackson’s Submission Fighting openly admit that their guy had better not go to the ground and yet it doesn’t appear he’s listening:

"I could do a grappling match right now and beat him," says Marquardt (28-8-1). "But this is MMA, this is my sport, and when it goes to the ground, he’s going to have to eat some leather. It doesn’t matter where the fight goes, I’m going to win the fight. I’m going to tear him up whether we’re on the ground or on the feet."

How many times have we heard that from a wrestler who tries to strike with a striker? Marquardt’s trainers know better than to send Marquardt into Maia's domain:

"In a fight against Demian Maia one mistake can change the fight," trainer Trevor Wittman. "It’s very important we stay discpilined in this fight."

Another trainer Mike Winkeljohn suggests that they may be having trouble getting through to Marquardt:

"Nate Marquardt has a huge advantage on his feet, that’s where I’d love to see the fight stay. If I can keep Nate’s ego from wanting to hit the ground, that’d be a fantastic thing. There’s definitely a danger for Nate Marquardt to prove that he can hang with Demian Maia on the ground."

Maia has picked up three Submission of the Night checks in his five fights.

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27 Comments

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  1. AvEnGeRx
    1. Posted by AvEnGeRx Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:47 pm EDT

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    -Easy win for Maia Sub 1st round, Nates to aggressive and and can't resist that cookie in the jar or bear trap in this case- Next....
  2. andy s
    2. Posted by andy s Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:28 pm EDT

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    Nate will resist going to the ground and take this one via TKO 2nd round.
  3. Steven W
    3. Posted by Steven W Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:35 pm EDT

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    oh man this doesn't sound good for nate....when are people gonna learn? i'm a demian maia believer. he's got no striking but from what i hear he hits very hard, sometimes a guy who doesn't know what he's doing has a better chance at hitting you if you focus too much on technicalities. maia's very awkward and will throw some crazy stuff and be on you like glue before you blink. looking forward to this matchup the most.
  4. Brizzle T
    4. Posted by Brizzle T Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:02 am EDT

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    I think Maia pulls guard or takes Nate down until he taps. Also, Maia has won four Submission of the Night awards, not three.
  5. Jordan M
    5. Posted by Jordan M Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:26 am EDT

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    this is a great fight.. don't even care about nogueira vs couture.
  6. Jordan M
    6. Posted by Jordan M Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:26 am EDT

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    this is a great fight.. don't even care about nogueira vs couture.
  7. Robert C
    7. Posted by Robert C Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:18 am EDT

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    I always hate the really cocky guys...and Nate seems to fit this bill.
    Maia by rear naked choke late 1st round.
  8. Louie
    8. Posted by Louie Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:58 am EDT

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    they throw out to much credit on how big and how better Marquadt's stand up, read the article, Maia has all the tools to be the next champion,he is way beyond all his opponent in the ground game, and he is training under Wanderlei for his striking, it is easier to learn to puch and kick then learn to position yourself to defend an RNC, i believe Maia has the better chance to win this match and solodifying his chances on getting the shot at the other Silva.
  9. Rob R
    9. Posted by Rob R Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:35 am EDT

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    Wonder if it's a mind game...The Jackson guys talking like they can't control him when he's actually going to fight a very disciplined fight.
    If you saw his fight with Leites, you know Marquardt "beat" him. Is Maia really so different from Leites that Marquardt can't beat him too as long as he stays out of trouble with the ref?
    Since I think Marquardt is an underdog (where the hell is your betting blog, Cofield?!), Marquardt by unanimous decision.
  10. Instant Money
    10. Posted by Instant Money Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:45 am EDT

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    zzzzzzzzzzzz another boring fight, blaw, hug-n-slug fest.
  11. Rob R
    11. Posted by Rob R Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:52 am EDT

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    Instant Money:
    I think you're in the wrong blog. You're looking for the Klitschko-Arreola blog. Two doors down on the left.
  12. Greg B
    12. Posted by Greg B Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:21 am EDT

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    Who's the girl?
  13. JJ
    13. Posted by JJ Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:25 am EDT

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    I agree w/Rob that Nate beat Leites. But I think there is a difference between Maia and Leites. I think Maia is on a whole different level than Leites with BJJ. I also think Maia (from watching his fights) is a lot more aggressive than Leites. This is a fight I would like to watch-Maia vs Marquardt. I've seen Maia take some punishment in order to get the advantage while on the ground, that's assuming it gets taken to the ground. If Maia's striking has improved and if he can take a punch or two on the ground, I think he'll win. I think Nate will be favored in this fight. He's the bigger name having fought Anderson. Plus, he's looked good in his fights since Leites.
    Another reason I don't understand why some, and especially Nate, believe he can beat Anderson Silva if they fought again. He lost to Leites (or at least the judges scored it that way) and Leites did nothing against Silva. I kinda am hoping for Maia to win because I've seen Nate against Anderson. It would be nice if the next title fight would be against Maia. Since it's been less than a month since Anderson fought, why couldn't the UFC put Maia against Silva for the title if Maia wins in convincing fashion? I'd rather see that than Hendo vs Silva just because they've not fought before.
  14. JJ
    14. Posted by JJ Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:27 am EDT

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    By the way, has anybody heard anything about Mayweather's home getting raided by the cops and them finding weapons, ammunition, and bullet proof vest after searching the home and his two cars????
  15. Rob R
    15. Posted by Rob R Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:58 am EDT

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    I heard about that JJ, but what big-name boxer doesn't have all that stuff in his home? I'd be more concerned about the allegations that Mayweather threatened the guy and that somebody standing next to Mayweather emptied a gun at him.
  16. JJ
    16. Posted by JJ Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:06 am EDT

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    Something happend at a park nearby...somebody got shot or died or something. I hate even saying stuff like this because I don't know the whole story. Just wondering if anybody else knew more.
  17. brandG
    17. Posted by brandG Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:13 am EDT

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    I hope nate doing go all tarded and go to the ground. I want to see if Maia's stand up has improved, that way we can really see if he should get a title shot if he wins. If Nate just takes him down and he submits him I think that still leaves a lot of questions up in the air as to if he can stand and trade and be able to take down someone like anderson silva. But I am excited for this fight more than the others.
  18. Nasu Nasulainen
    18. Posted by Nasu Nasulainen Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:19 am EDT

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    This will be a big test for Maia, and I really hope he pulls it off. He's fast becoming my anti-hero, a not-so-handsome, non-ripped, older dude who prefers to finish fights without hurting his opponents. I always prefer the skilled, intelligent fighter to the monkey man (did Brock Lesnar just break a door?). As an expat American having moved abroad and speaking a foreign language, I also have immense respect for the fighters who choose to speak English as a foreign language in front of thousands of people. I don't think he's going to take Silva's belt, but I think Maia just might embarrass Marquardt.
  19. Rob R
    19. Posted by Rob R Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:25 am EDT

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    JJ...That is a good point about how Maia will be more willing to engage than Leites. If Maia's willing to take a little punishment in order to take it to the ground, lights out.
    I guess I'll have to see the actual odds before I make a real decision. If Marquardt is more than +150, I'd probably take him.
  20. Rob R
    20. Posted by Rob R Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:34 am EDT

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    Oh jeez...Marquardt is minus 175?! Never mind.
    Have people still not heard of Maia before?!
  21. Sandman
    21. Posted by Sandman Fri Aug 28, 2009 2:13 pm EDT

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    Easy win for Marquardt. Maia is a 1 trick pony. In today’s MMA, Gracie style one-dimensional fighting is a recipe for defeat. Just recall how easily Hughes beat Gracie—and Hughes is NOT a complete fighter. He has ZERO standup. Marquardt actually has good standup skills. He should KO Maia easily.
  22. Sandman
    22. Posted by Sandman Fri Aug 28, 2009 2:13 pm EDT

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    Easy win for Marquardt. Maia is a 1 trick pony. In today’s MMA, Gracie style one-dimensional fighting is a recipe for defeat. Just recall how easily Hughes beat Gracie—and Hughes is NOT a complete fighter. He has ZERO standup. Marquardt actually has good standup skills. He should KO Maia easily.
  23. Mr.Brooks
    23. Posted by Mr.Brooks Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    Nate might win,I hope so, but the one thing it will not be is easy.
  24. Steven W
    24. Posted by Steven W Fri Aug 28, 2009 5:57 pm EDT

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    Rob somebody else already said it but i'll reiterate.....maia's bjj is about ten levels above just about everybody in the ufc, even leites. he is indeed the most agressive with it and definitely has great takedowns that allow him to land in position instead of having to struggle for it. nate has great skills all around, but the more time he spends on the ground with maia the more trouble he'll be in.
    and Sandman, you'll be eating your words very soon. comparing royce to maia is ridiculous. i understand what royce did for mma and the ufc but seriously man you don't gotta hate bjj just because you don't know it. royce gracie represents bjj sure, but he doesn't represent bjj at its finest. demian maia on the other hand is nearly unstoppable in the submission world. last i heard in order to strike someone you have to get close enough to touch them and that will be the beginning of the end for nate....hell he might even be dumb enough to let it go to the ground. ha.
  25. Sandman
    25. Posted by Sandman Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:22 pm EDT

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    @ Steven
    Are you totally insane? Never have I disrespected BJJ, nor have my words indicated that I have a novice understanding of it. My claim is that today’s great fighters are “complete” mixed martial artists. Hence the name of the sport, “MMA.”
    Maia is not a complete fighter. He cannot strike (traditional boxing, muy thai boxing, karate, etc.). He has great BJJ. I NEVER denied that claim. And in submission only tournaments, he should be a world champ. But “MMA” is not the same as pure grappling jujitsu. Maia might become some sort of a great fighter—but not until he learns how a stand-up art to match is BJJ art.

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