Mixed martial arts began at UFC 1 on November 12, 1993. Jiu-Jitsu exponent Royce Gracie beat a world-class boxer in 2:08, a world-class catch wrestler in :57, and in just 100 seconds beat a knockdown karate master badass, who kicked off the event by kicking a tooth out of massive sumotori Teila Tuli, and into the crowd.
That was the beginning of the biggest revolution in the practice of mixed martial arts since Bruce Lee told everyone to go find their own truth, and that it did not lay in “the classical mess.”
No one quite knew what Royce was doing, but the opponents appeared helpless to stop it.
That appeared to happen again at UFC on FOX 21, when 38 year old 4th degree BJJ black belt Demian Maia defeated Carlos Condit. Condit, a former interim UFC welterweight champion, appeared helpless to stop it.
Twitter reacted.
#UFCVancouver Closing Odds: Carlos Condit (-125) vs. Demian Maia (+115) – @UFCONFOX @FOXSports @ufc @BrianStann @MMAOddsBreaker
— Nick Kalikas (@FightOdds) August 28, 2016
Maia has Condit's a minute into the 1st round. This is worst case scenario stuff. #UFCVancouver
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) August 28, 2016
"Hi, my name is Demian Maia. I'll be the mixed martial artist choking you out this evening." https://t.co/AVoXb8Rq5F
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) August 28, 2016
https://twitter.com/Sugarhigh5me/status/769715885158207488https://twitter.com/MMAjunkieMatt/status/769715954070814725
Wow. What a squeeze by Maia. Best Bjj in the UFC. #UFCVancouver
— Scott Hot Sauce Holtzman (@HotSauceHoltzy) August 28, 2016
Maia deserves a title shot @UFC
— Aaron Simpson (@aaronsimpson) August 28, 2016
@WonderboyMMA beats Woodley. But who wins between @demianmaia and Wonderboy!? #ufc
— Colleen Brown (@Mrs_Immortal) August 28, 2016
Significant strikes landed by Maia and Condit combined tonight: 2. Maia has absorbed just 13 in his last four fights. #UFCVancouver
— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) August 28, 2016
Most Wins, UFC History
Bisping, 19
St-Pierre, 19
MAIA, 18
Cerrone, 18
Hughes, 18#UFCVancouver— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) August 28, 2016
Most Submissions, UFC History
Royce Gracie, 10
DEMIAN MAIA, 9
Nate Diaz, 9#UFCVancouver— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) August 28, 2016
@demianmaia is a beast on the ground. Best BJJ in the @ufc history #respect
— Roan Jucao (@jucao) August 28, 2016
Prior to the fight, Maia discussed that he has developed new techniques. These are seemingly so innovative that it looks like UFC 1 all over again, when no one knew what Guard meant.
“I think you know we’re going to grapple,” said Maia to Scott Harris for B/R. “We’re going to the ground. He’s good there, but hopefully I’m able to impose my game.”
“I’m a fighter who is mainly a grappler, but I have a different style than other grapplers. I think my mindset is different. The new techniques are just evolving, and I look for that. I’m not just a jiu-jitsu player for jiu-jitsu, but for MMA.”
Afterwards, Maia, in tears, spoke movingly to the crowd.
I knew it would be a hard fight; I’m just so happy that I think now I earned the title shot. Now finally I think I will get the chance to fight for the title, said Maia.
“If [UFC welterweight champion Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson] will fight fight first [vs . Tyron Woodley], I will wait for the winner of Woodley and Wonderboy.”
Maia then spoke in his native Brazilian to the crowd, and was asked by commentator Brian Stann to translate. Maia talked about the power of Jiu-Jitsu.
“I’m very glad that there’s a lot of Brazilians here,” said Maia. “But more than that, I fight for one martial art. I fight for something I believe in, which is BJJ. It’s more than a country. It’s a nation that everybody around the world likes this martial art. I come here to represent that.
“And then I said I love you to my kids.”
