Demian Maia Techniques

Toss to Mounted Triangle

• When the UFC merged its sister promotion, the WEC, into the organization, Chael Sonnen came over as the uncrowned champion, having defeated the champion in a non-title fight after the champion missed weight. Sonnen was assumed to have the advantage in wrestling, and the ability to dictate where the fight would take place, however Maia was able to successfully toss Sonnen onto the mat. Once there, Maia realized the throw had put him in a position where only one arm of Sonnen's was between Maia's legs, along with Sonnen's head. Maia took the opening and rolled onto his back, closing his left leg over his right ankle to secure the triangle choke on a roll from mount.

Half-Guard Triangle Set Up

• While Maia's prior bout with Ed Herman finished with a similar result to the Sonnen bout, the technique to set up the submission was not the same. While Maia locked Sonnen from the mount, again Herman Maia was on bottom, with Herman enclosed between his legs, in the guard. Maia loosened his legs, giving Herman the impression that Herman could pass to half guard, where only one leg is trapped, but when Herman lowered his left arm to push on Maia's right leg to create space, Maia used his flexibility to swing the leg over Herman's arm and across his back for the triangle choke.

Half Guard Pull

• In mixed martial arts it is often beneficial to be on top when on the ground, as though the full guard is technically a neutral position, judges often score in favor of the fighter on top. Despite this, Maia is so confident in his ground technique that he has pulled guard, dragging his opponent down on top of him, even when only half-guard could be gained with a pull. Against Nate Quarry, Maia was stuffed on a takedown, but used the opportunity to wrap his legs around one of Quarry's, pulling half-guard. From there, Maia turned to his knees, stood up and drove through on another takedown until he ended up on top.

Rear Naked Choke

• Although the rear naked choke is a difficult move to escape once locked on, it is also difficult to apply, as from the position there are limited offensive options, allowing the defensive fighter to target his defenses. Despite this, Maia has shown he is especially adept at securing the hold, having finished more fights in the Octagon with the rear naked choke than any other move. To set up the move, Maia begins on the back of his opponent, with his legs tucked into the inner thighs of his opponent or figure-four locked around his midsection. One arm is snaked under his opponent's neck, so the point of the elbow is at the front of the throat, then the arm grabs Maia's other bicep. The second hand is tucked behind his opponent's head, pressing the head into the wrapped arm, earning the submission.