Demian Maia to WelterWeight?

http://tatame.com/2012/03/01/Demian-Maia-says-moving-to-welterweight-is-a-possibility

If he moves down, that will make the Deepest Shark Tank even deeper.  With guys like Matt Hughes and BJ Penn phasing out, Chris Lytle retired and Matt Serra probably not going to fight anymore, the WW would be strengthened.  

The WWs have great wrestlers like GSP, Fitch, Koscheck & Hendricks and the arrival of a great Ju-jitsu master would make the division even more stacked.  The division does have good BJJ guys like Nick Diaz and Jake Shields.  Jake Ellenberger is supposed to have great wrestling, too.  

It goes without saying that most of the fighters have credible ground games, most having competed in HS and college wrestling.  But not all ground games are created equal.  There are degrees of mastership.

If Demian ever did drop to WW, I think a fight with Jake Shields would be an entertaining battle.  Who would be a better match?

* Edited at 03.07.2012, 12:40 PM ET *

He needs to stop trying to be a kickboxer, seriously. I think he was trying to get up against Weidman. I never ever thought I'd see Maia trying to get back to his feet in a fight.

Right..

@ProdigyKid14 Ya that was some ******** ****. Maia scrambling to get up? Holy ****.

It made me very, very sad. I no like K1 Maia

People love to hate people who make excuses, but Maia was definitely sick in the Weidman fight. Maia never even mentioned it himself, so it isn't really an excuse. I'm not saying he would have beat him, Weidman obviously had that huge weight cut, but Maia's cardio was gone 3 minutes into the fight. Being the classy guy he is and not pulling out of the fight, he knew he was going to have those issues and he had to end it quick, hence the telegraphed haymakers. His striking is better than he showed in that fight. Still, it isn't anything special. Hopefully, Maia will be a man and pull guard on his next opponent, we all know that's where he's best. I'm really excited to see his next fight and to see where he goes after that loss. 

Having just recently read The Fighter's Mind, the talk of excuses kinda reminds me of a section from that book that really changed the way I think about excuses from pro fighters.  It was talked about that a competitor pretty much needs to make an excuse, no matter how small, to keep going.  If an athlete in a sport so competitive as fighting were to simply accept the fact that his opponent was better than him, it would be difficult to stay motivated to keep fighting.  You need to make some type of excuse to get back in there and try it again, to feel like the result might be different the next time around.

That's not to say that these guys aren't going to train their ass off to ensure they perform better, outside of whatever excuse they come up with, but it's a sort of medicine for their psyche.  Honestly, while I don't agree 100% with it, I think there is some truth and wisdom to it.  I reflect on my MMA debut, and can honestly say I feel like my nerves and missed overhand right ultimately led to my demise in that contest.  That doesn't mean that I'm not going to train my ass off to make sure that I'm a killing machine when I step foot back in that cage, but to avoid a deep depression, you kinda need to make some sort of excuse.  I'm not taking anything away from my opponent, he capitalized on my mistakes, and that's his job.  But, I went down the road of trying to say he was just better, and all that did was lead me into the dark.

Maia clearly was not 100% in his last fight.  Now, whether he was sick or not, who really knows for sure besides he himself, and maybe some people close to him?  However, I bet he trains is butt off and comes back better, regardless.  For now, I understand and "accept" his excuse.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot I'm supposed to get thumbs down from now on so.....:

Nick Diaz sucks!

* Edited at 03.07.2012, 10:08 PM ET *

Great post. +1

I don't think Maia needs to move down in weight. I think a weight cut is a conclusion too many fighters jump to when they hit a wall in their career. There is sometimes a reluctance to acknowledge that your game is lacking and the only solution is a serious self examination of your training. If you look at Maia's losses, he losses when he is unable or unwilling to implement his BJJ. That has to do with his weak takedowns, not his size.

If anything, WW would probably be a harder division for Maia. There are more wrestlers at WW than any other division, and they would be faster than him. Maia needs to change his tactics, not change his competition.

If Demian moves to WW, I suggest Jake Shields as the most suitable candidate for his first match.  

Any thoughts?

I fear Shields vs Maia might end up being the worst kickboxing match of all time.

Shields vs maia greatest K1 fight ever i agree!! lool

If it stayed standing it would probably be the most boring fight of all time....if it goes to the ground it still has a chance to be the most boring fight of all time.

Not if one lost patience and took the fight down.

I hope the UFC gives Dustin Hazelette a second chance.  His JJ was fun to watch and on an amazing level.  Not on Maia's level but still great.

A BJJ guy looks always weak when he cant takedown a guy..

I always liked Hazelett.  He's taking a break from fighting though.

http://mmajunkie.com/news/23281/ufc-vet-dustin-hazelett-puts-fighting-career-on-hold-heads-back-to-school.mma