he makes it look easy, nobody is doing that in the modern era (where every top ten has great bjj). He has such a complete grappling game, not attribute based at all, just perfect technique.
He is a man among men. Danaher wrote a nice little essay on him yesterday 
and a bjj guy, who took wrestling takedowns seriously....He didn't start as a wrestler..This guy put wrestling into his bjj.
Even though he finished the fight too quickly to even have the opportunity to do some damage, I was glad to hear Brian Stann say that his corner was talking about doing damage while grappling.. If I was to have any criticism of his game, I felt that he got too focused on grappling only. When the bell rings and the next round starts, the opponent is no worse for the wear and Maia's gas tank became the risk. His Gunnar Nelson fight was still his best as he beat the snot out of gunnar from controlling positions.
burner22 - He is a man among men. Danaher wrote a nice little essay on him yesterdayHow many volumes to that novel
He certainly is the best example of applying bjj against highly skilled opponents. And since his wrestling improved so much, he is much more dangerous. Those adjustments on that single leg were sweet.
He makes veterans look like the guys Royce fought in UFC 1&2. 
My favorite BJJ-for-MMA guy.
Maia
Minotauro
BJ Penn
I agree, #1
Meatgrinder -Gunny Nelson's face would not agree with your assessment of Maia's current mindset.
and a bjj guy, who took wrestling takedowns seriously....He didn't start as a wrestler..This guy put wrestling into his bjj.
Even though he finished the fight too quickly to even have the opportunity to do some damage, I was glad to hear Brian Stann say that his corner was talking about doing damage while grappling.. If I was to have any criticism of his game, I felt that he got too focused on grappling only. When the bell rings and the next round starts, the opponent is no worse for the wear and Maia's gas tank became the risk. His Gunnar Nelson fight was still his best as he beat the snot out of gunnar from controlling positions.
It may have been true in the past, but not these days
burner22 - He is a man among men. Danaher wrote a nice little essay on him yesterdayWhere can I find this essay?
Thanks
Rubber Ducky -Meatgrinder -Gunny Nelson's face would not agree with your assessment of Maia's current mindset.
and a bjj guy, who took wrestling takedowns seriously....He didn't start as a wrestler..This guy put wrestling into his bjj.
Even though he finished the fight too quickly to even have the opportunity to do some damage, I was glad to hear Brian Stann say that his corner was talking about doing damage while grappling.. If I was to have any criticism of his game, I felt that he got too focused on grappling only. When the bell rings and the next round starts, the opponent is no worse for the wear and Maia's gas tank became the risk. His Gunnar Nelson fight was still his best as he beat the snot out of gunnar from controlling positions.
It may have been true in the past, but not these days
"he beat the snot out of gunnar from controlling positions."
I pointed out Gunnar's fight because this was a different strategy than what he had done up to that point.... That's exactly why I said it was his best fight and a turning point for him. You're validating exactly what I'm saying.
Meatgrinder -My badRubber Ducky -Meatgrinder -Gunny Nelson's face would not agree with your assessment of Maia's current mindset.
and a bjj guy, who took wrestling takedowns seriously....He didn't start as a wrestler..This guy put wrestling into his bjj.
Even though he finished the fight too quickly to even have the opportunity to do some damage, I was glad to hear Brian Stann say that his corner was talking about doing damage while grappling.. If I was to have any criticism of his game, I felt that he got too focused on grappling only. When the bell rings and the next round starts, the opponent is no worse for the wear and Maia's gas tank became the risk. His Gunnar Nelson fight was still his best as he beat the snot out of gunnar from controlling positions.
It may have been true in the past, but not these days
"he beat the snot out of gunnar from controlling positions."
I pointed out Gunnar's fight because this was a different strategy than what he had done up to that point.... That's exactly why I said it was his best fight and a turning point for him. You're validating exactly what I'm saying.
dipset -This please. Can anyone point me to the essay. Many thanks!burner22 - He is a man among men. Danaher wrote a nice little essay on him yesterdayWhere can I find this essay?
Thanks
Carrying the flag: In modern MMA, most people see an individual art like jiu jitsu as a component of the total fight game.
For some, that component is more than for others, but regardless, it is never more than a component.
Demian Maia is one of a handful of elite MMA fighters who use only a very pure form of jiu jitsu as his whole game, not a component. His fights look like a perfect statement of the traditional approach to BJJ - takedown, positional advance, working through a hierarchy of pins culminating in submission. In bottom position - recover guard, sweep, submit or stand back up and look for takedowns.
That he is able to get such a traditional approach to work at such a high level is remarkable. Even more remarkable is the fact that Mr Maia appears to be getting better at this approach with every fight - remarkable for a man of 38 in a young mans sport
One of the most interesting coaching assignments of my career was helping Chris Weidman fight Demian Maia. Mr Weidman had outstanding jiu jitsu skills, so I was not worried going into the fight - even though he took it on only 17 days notice.
In truth however, Mr Maia has greatly improved since then. When he fought Mr Weidman, he was trying to add kickboxing to his skill set. In my opinion this actually reduced his effectiveness and made him an easier opponent to beat.
When he went down a weight division he went back to his jiu jitsu and refined it in a way that has made him far better now than he was earlier.
His traditional jiu jitsu style has not proven popular with many MMA fans, but he will always be one of my favorites. In a world of trash talking, brawling entertainers, he stands out as a man who has dedicated his life to control - both of himself and his opponents - so that he can achieve the martial ideal of bloodless victories in a violent sport.
All MMA fighters use some jiu jitsu, but I cherish watching the fights of this man who uses nothing but jiu jitsu.
He has a tough fight ahead with Carlos Condit, but win or lose, I will always appreciate the exceptional work of this lone flag bearer of our sport.
It bugs me that Joe rogan compares him to Rickson.
Bojack Horseman - It bugs me that Joe rogan compares him to Rickson.Me too. Its apples and oranges comparison I think. And kind of a disservice to Maia's mma career. Maia was never the dominant force in bjj that Rickson (not even close) was and Rickson's mma career cant hold a candle (or even a match for that matter) to Maia's.
chief123 -Bojack Horseman - It bugs me that Joe rogan compares him to Rickson.Me too. Its apples and oranges comparison I think. And kind of a disservice to Maia's mma career. Maia was never the dominant force in bjj that Rickson (not even close) was and Rickson's mma career cant hold a candle (or even a match for that matter) to Maia's.
Agreed, Maia is executing textbook bjj on really good bjj guys. I think it is way more impressive than anything Rickson did.
I think it is crazy that Maia is so consistent under lots of pressure against great guys who have weeks/months to prepare for him. He has taken so little damage too.
It is truly a thing of beauty what he is doing
I guess maybe Fabio Gurgel knows a thing or two about teaching guys how to do jiu jitsu. --Just look at who he has taught.
Jacare is an amazing bjj guy in mma as well, but I agree that Maia has used it better in mma. Jacare often falls in love with his striking. He's a great athlete and likes to put on the show.