How good could Demian Maia be if...

[RowdyRider]

He worked alot on his striking. Everyone knows that he trains with Wandy, he also trains with Mir on the ground. However, what if Maia were to seriously improve his striking to where as he was atleast on the level of a DECENT striker with good Muay Thai....

I'd love to see him work alot of stand up with Wandy and Shogun...

He could eventually be one of the greats and make that all so important "P4P" rankings that people admire so much...

 

[layinwood]

Maia is one of my favorite fighters, I love watching him fight. Wandy said that Maia's stand up was actually very good, he just doesn't like using it. One reason he doesn't is because he doesn't like to hurt people. I can't remember exactly what Maia said but it was something along the lines that he wants to beat people but not hurt them. I'm not so sure you can have that attitude and be the best. Maybe he can but I doubt it. We'll soon see I guess because he's well on his way.

 

[RowdyRider]

His ground game is like watching art. I would love to see his stand up because it's what makes him just a good fighter instead of a GREAT fighter...

 

[Coach_K]

Why should Maia only work on striking? What is his record...10-0. If it aint broke dont fix it. Yes he should emphasize striking but he is one of the best BJJ in the world. It is a shame UFC wont give him a chance but understandable. I think if he were to beat Marquardt then they have to give him a shot.

 

[RowdyRider]

Why should Maia only work on striking? What is his record...10-0. If it aint broke dont fix it. Yes he should emphasize striking but he is one of the best BJJ in the world. It is a shame UFC wont give him a chance but understandable. I think if he were to beat Marquardt then they have to give him a shot.

Because he'll never beat anyone at the top level who can defend takedowns, etc...

If you look at his UFC wins, he didn't win because of being able to take his opponents down. He won because his opponents put him on his back, then they fought stupid fights...AKA tried to play on the ground with him.

He needs striking or he won't be a legitimate top 5 in the UFC, yet alone world, MW...

 

[layinwood]

The Nate vs Maia fight is a tough one for me. I really would like to see Nate get another shot at Silva but I think a Maia Silva fight would be unreal. I mainly think that because Silva has so much Muchisimo that he would go to the ground with Maia just to try and beat him at his own game.

No matter what we have some really good fights coming up.

Dana did say he had a BIG signing at MW so hopefully it's a stud and not Cung Lee.

 

[RowdyRider]

Yeah, been talking about that over at Sherdog, and they had a list of 5 guys...

Cung Le
Vitor Belfort
Matt Lindland
Robbie Lawler
Melvin Manhoef

Lindland and Lawler aren't a big signing, Le said he's probably done fighting. That leaves us with Manhoef who would be a big signing, but does he even like to fight in the US/Cage?? Vitor I'd think is still locked up with Affliction...but, I'd love to see him fight in the UFC because he's showed signs of being back...

Arona? But Arona is HUGE, and I highly doubt he could make MW...

ps- Ricardo Arona would be GREAT in a cage, IMO...His style is perfect for a cage...

Gegard Mousasi? - But I've read he is going to move to LHW...but who knows?

ps- If Mousasi did fight at MW, I think he's the only fighter in the world who could beat Anderson Silva...

 

[layinwood]

Mousasi would be very big IMO. It would take a couple of fights to market him but I think he would be pretty popular.