Quotes from Demian Maia

Seminars, TV shows, documentaries, always spreading Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I'm an instrument of this art more than a character myself.

I don't sell myself. I am what I am. I'm a role model for a lot of people, for my kids. I don't want to just change because I want to make more money.

When I got into UFC, it was an unbelievable feeling. When I got inside the cage, 'Big' John McCarthy - a guy who I was watching back when Royce Gracie was fighting - was the referee. I was able to earn a quick submission win. It was perfect.

A lot of people underestimate Jake Shields, but his results speak for themselves. He's tough to beat.

People always go to the ground with me trying to just hold me. They stall and wait for the referee to stand them back up so they can start it all over.

To me, when you're not as hungry to train hard and learn new things and get better as you once were, I think it's time to stop.

I was never a playboy, you know? But it's easy to say that because it's just a stereotype. 'OK, this boy did college so he must be a playboy.'

Chael is a pretty tough and strategic opponent and very hard to put down.

If we fought like the old days, with no time limit, it would be better to work. We only have five minutes to work per round so it's complicated, especially because everybody knows that my ground game is good.

When I started to strike a lot back in the days I lost a little bit my jiu-jitsu. It's normal.

I need to improve my striking and my wrestling, but I always be best at jiu-jitsu.

That's why I love jiu-jitsu, this is the best martial art in the world. It's an art that seeks the peace, to dominate your opponent.

My wife never comes to watch me fight, she gets too nervous, so do my family. They will only watch it on the television after they know the outcome.

I had my first professional fight was in 2001 in Venezuela - it was also my first international trip away from Brazil. It was a great experience. Then in 2005, I went to Finland and won. The next year there was a tournament in Brazil with three fights in one night. I was the underdog and won all three fights.

Fights are all about styles and matchups.

The striking game is always a lottery game, so I prefer to take the safe situation. Submission is the best for me. I'm the guy looking for it all the time.

I will always go for the submission instead of hurting my opponent.

I don't like to have a strategy going into a fight. If he has a good right hand or a good kick or good submissions then I'll try to avoid that, but I like to be in a fight and I like to go into the fight. Even in jiu-jitsu I didn't think of pulling this guy into guard or take him down because I like to go into the fight and see what happens.

I think I adapted well for MMA.

I'm sure about my style. I always go to fight. I always go to be aggressive.

The day I stop aiming for the title, I will stop fighting.

Anytime a guy asks to compete against you, they usually think they have the advantage.

My jiu-jitsu is very good, and anytime I'm able to show what my coaches and my team are capable of doing, I really enjoy it.

I always try and use my jiujitsu to win fights. That's my favorite method of securing victory.