BJJ and ADCC world champion Demian Maia is one of the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners in all of MMA and said he wanted another main event or co-main event in Brazil next year. He is set to face prospect Khamzat Chimaev, who just recently received his BJJ blue belt:
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The term Ground and Pound (or GnP) is a phrase that was created in the early days of Mixed Martial Arts and it is used to describe the tactic of keeping your opponent pinned on the ground while doing damage with punches and strikes. Interestingly enough, Maia rarely, if at all, uses any Ground and Pound in his MMA fights.
Maia told Combate that his Jiu-Jitsu mentality is one of the main reason why he doesn’t ground and pound:
“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.”
A few years ago after defeating Chael Sonnen, Maia said to Joe Rogan as cornerman Wanderlei Silva implored the crowd to cheer:
“I want to show jiu-jitsu to the world, and show to the people that you can win the fight without hurting your opponent.”
