Demian Maia
4x IBJJF World Champion (gi) · 2001–2012
Lineage
Maia's elite Submissions (92) and elite Competition IQ (90) define this era.
Competition Record
Career grappling record
Gi
No-Gi
4x IBJJF World Champion (gi), UFC welterweight/middleweight
Mat Resume
Time on the mats in professional competition
105
Pro Matches
50
Mat Hours
40
Events
6.5 min
Avg Duration
35 sec
Fastest Sub
8
Sub-Only Matches
Style Analysis
Four-time IBJJF World Champion who became the most successful pure BJJ practitioner in UFC history. Famous for backpack-style control.
Signature Submissions
Notable Matches
Key competition results
Did You Know?
4x IBJJF World Champion before MMA career
Most successful pure BJJ fighter in UFC history
Famous backpack style control in MMA
Style Matchup Analysis
Where this game is vulnerable
Exploitable Patterns
Pure no-gi specialists who exploit the absence of collar grips
Dynamic guard players who can create distance and prevent his single-minded top game
Explosive athletes who can match his conditioning over long matches
Nightmare Matchup
Marcelo's butterfly guard and guillotine entries are perfectly designed to counter Maia's methodical top pressure. Marcelo's ability to create angles and threaten submissions from bottom gives Maia no safe path to his preferred control positions.
Closest Calls
Jacare's wrestling and aggressive top game overwhelmed Maia in a closely contested battle between two future UFC fighters.
Roger's size and mount game proved too much, but Maia defended admirably before being submitted.
Engine Insight
Relative weakness: Athleticism (80) is 7 points below their 87 average — opponents strong in this area have the best chance.
Trophy Case
Before legendary UFC career
Medium heavy
Signature Moments
BJJ World Champion to UFC Title Contender
Demian Maia won four IBJJF World Championships in the gi and then transitioned to the UFC, where he became one of the most feared grapplers in MMA history. His ability to take down and control elite UFC fighters from the back was built on pure BJJ technique.
Four world titles in gi, then a UFC title shot. Demian Maia proved that pure BJJ still works at the highest level of MMA.
Career Numbers
Mundials Golds
IBJJF World Championship golds
4
Pan Am Golds
Pan American Championship golds
1
92 min
Deep Ufc Backpack Control
92 minutes of total back control time in the UFC — the most by any fighter in UFC history
Season Stats · 4x IBJJF World Champion (gi)
Engine Attributes
Data Coverage
FloGrappling / BJJ Heroes / IBJJF
8 of 8 profile sections complete
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