Demian Maia Has Gained A Massive Amount of Respect from Everyone Since Moving to 170

Gabe

Gabe

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Maia started off his UFC career with six consecutive submission victories and was thought to be the next big thing in the UFC. Then after being KO'd by Marquardt he went on a streak of decision fights where he mostly tried to utilize striking against his opponents and occasionally mix in take downs along with the disastrous Silva fight. After losses to Munoz and Weidman many people wrote him off as a gatekeeper but since moving to 170 he has had a complete career turnaround. I can only imagine how good he would have been if he had moved to 170 years before, he probably could have been champ. Since moving to 170 he is once again revered by everyone in the MMA community who had previously gained disinterest for him. The move to 170 is easily the best thing he has done for his career.
 
I don't think he could have beaten GSP, but he would surely get a title shot imo.
 
he was highly regarded at MW as well until that loss to marquardt and even after ward (though not as much) - he got a title shot then as well - dumping chael on his head and tapping him on top of not losing before that marquardt fight had him some legit hype back then at MW (not to mention people talking about how he woudl tap the noguieras and gabriel gonzaga in training)
 
He's a great fighter, but I don't think he would've been champ if he was a 170 his whole career. I think any wrestler with tdd, and good boxing, beats him. Rory worked him in their fight, and there's no way he would've got gsp down. That would've been a five round jab fest. I'm not knocking on him tho. It's amazing to see him beat people the way he has been lately, and he's been around forever.
 
Maia has been more than impressive since dropping to 170. The thing that impressed me the most was his improvement in fighting against legit strikers. Matt Brown will be another good test. A win will be huge for Maia.
 
He could end up being champion by the end of the year potentially. Has a very good chance of beating Brown and then he's very close to the title. I think Zuffa will try and avoid giving him the shot though because casuals just aren't going to find him exciting. Very sad if that happens. Heck, Lawler doesn't even do good numbers and he's one of the most exciting fighters ever.
 
MonstaAJ said:
He's a great fighter, but I don't think he would've been champ if he was a 170 his whole career. I think any wrestler with tdd, and good boxing, beats him. Rory worked him in their fight, and there's no way he would've got gsp down. That would've been a five round jab fest. I'm not knocking on him tho. It's amazing to see him beat people the way he has been lately, and he's been around forever.
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Maia schooled Rory in the first round. That was honestly Maia's best performance even though he lost. Took on a prodigy ten years his junior and gave him all he could handle in the first. Unfortunately he only has so much of a gas tank at his old age and was tired by the second.
 
I like Maia, he seems a really cool, humble dude. Even heard that he went and trained with Neil Magny after he beat him.
 
Gabe said:
Maia started off his UFC career with six consecutive submission victories and was thought to be the next big thing in the UFC. Then after being KO'd by Marquardt he went on a streak of decision fights where he mostly tried to utilize striking against his opponents and occasionally mix in take downs along with the disastrous Silva fight. After losses to Munoz and Weidman many people wrote him off as a gatekeeper but since moving to 170 he has had a complete career turnaround. I can only imagine how good he would have been if he had moved to 170 years before, he probably could have been champ. Since moving to 170 he is once again revered by everyone in the MMA community who had previously gained disinterest for him. The move to 170 is easily the best thing he has done for his career.
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If he beats brown, he gets next title shot
 
Gabe said:
Maia schooled Rory in the first round. That was honestly Maia's best performance even though he lost. Took on a prodigy ten years his junior and gave him all he could handle in the first. Unfortunately he only has so much of a gas tank at his old age and was tired by the second.
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No way was that his best performance. He got a td in the first, and was able to mount Rory, but do no damage, and then Rory got up and lit him up for the next two rounds. I'd say his best performance was against Fitch. He did to Fitch what Fitch had been doing to guys for years.
 
Everyone who goes on a great streak gets respect and attention.

He's still kinda as boring as he was at 185. He's just winning better fights at a lower weight class is all (with some finishes here and there).
 
I loved maia appeasing the just bleed god against story.
And shielding shields at his own game was awesome too.

Edit
Someone just shattered my beloved fabricated memories about the maia vs shields fight.
Thanks for that....
 
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Damm to bad Maias striking didn't improve (like Werdums did for example) he would have been unstoppable.
 
Gabe said:
Maia started off his UFC career with six consecutive submission victories and was thought to be the next big thing in the UFC. Then after being KO'd by Marquardt he went on a streak of decision fights where he mostly tried to utilize striking against his opponents and occasionally mix in take downs along with the disastrous Silva fight. After losses to Munoz and Weidman many people wrote him off as a gatekeeper but since moving to 170 he has had a complete career turnaround. I can only imagine how good he would have been if he had moved to 170 years before, he probably could have been champ. Since moving to 170 he is once again revered by everyone in the MMA community who had previously gained disinterest for him. The move to 170 is easily the best thing he has done for his career.
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That was like a last minute short essay for class tomorrow. Is it?
 
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