Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – the birth, death, and resurrection of the “BJJ fighter” by Cooper

Considering one of the purposes of this blog – to appeal to all levels of the MMA fan – and the fighter I’m profiling – Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) ace Demian Maia – it would be foolhardy if I didn’t take a second here to explain what BJJ is. As compared to boxing – an instinctual act of punching another man in the face – jiu-jitsu is an esoteric art, for which a layman’s eye might only see two men intertwined on the ground struggling for no apparent gain. I recognize that many MMA fans sigh in disappointment when a fight hits the ground and I get such reservations. I would just ask you to consider and attempt to understand the purpose of BJJ when this fight inevitably does land on the mat. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is an acute understanding of body mechanics, a mastery of joint and limb manipulation, an understanding that humans have two corroded arteries and to put someone asleep both must be sufficiently compressed for at least five seconds, the knowledge that the windpipe is forever vulnerable to suffocation, a mastery of balance and momentum, an ability to use your opponent’s movement against them – the purpose: dominate your foe positionally en route to locking in a fight ending chokehold or joint lock. It is, in my opinion, the most effective martial art there is.

Efficaciousness in martial arts is a subjective claim. Tai Chi for example prioritizes situational awareness and mental fortitude where as wresting is concerned solely with physical domination. For the sake of argument let’s define efficacy as the ability to subdue your opponent against their will – in a fight to death you’re the one doing the killing. Those who object to superior efficacy of jiu-jitsu should consider a scenario in which representatives from all martial arts come together in a no holds barred tournament. Actually go watch it. UFC 1, 2, and 4 witnessed a lanky Brazilian by the name of Royce Gracie, trounce his much larger and physically imposing competition. Fight after fight Gracie stood across men with 30, 40 and even 50 pounds on him and fight after fight Gracie dragged his opponents to the ground and beat them into capitulation. Gracie introduced the world to the efficacy of jiu-jitsu.

Demian Maia’s Story

As time passed on, fighters understood success in MMA was predicated on a well-rounded game. Straight jiu-jitsu competitors, like Royce, were rendered obsolete by superior strikers, wrestlers, and athletes who learned rudimentary BJJ defense. That is, until Demian Maia came along. In 2007, Maia burst onto the MMA scene rattling off five UFC wins in a row – all by stunning submission. Maia eventually fought his way to a title shot against Anderson Silva – he came up short in the bout but his success reintroduced the world to the value of expert ground skills. Now to say Maia is strictly a jiu-jitsu fighter, as Gracie most certainly was, is somewhat misleading. He undeniably spends time on other facets of his MMA game and has demonstrably improved his striking over the years. However, it seems he has done so out of necessity rather than genuine interest. Maia admittedly “doesn’t like to hurt people” but rather “try’s to represent jiu-jitsu to the best of [his] ability and to show the philosophy of the art”. For Maia “the intention is not to hurt or punish [his] opponent”. You won’t hear these words uttered from a striker’s mouth – at least not from one who is being honest him/herself. Whether they admit it or not “hurting or punishing” your opponent is inherent to success of strikers career, e.g. Carlos Condit.

Demian Maia the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Wizard

In today’s modern game of MMA what does it mean to be considered a jiu-jitsu fighter? The meaning has surely evolved since the days of Royce Gracie – yet it still involves the same primary tactic – get the fight to the ground by all means necessary. In Maia’s last outing this past May, he put on a jiu-jitsu clinic against perennial contender, Matt Brown. In the third and final round of a bout that Maia had dominated, he takes a halfhearted shot at Brown, which is easily defended. As Maia comes back to his feet Brown lands a one two combination, which appears to stun Maia, and forces him back to the mat. Sensing a hurt prey, Brown jumps into Maia guard and begins a flurry of punches. Within seconds Maia has an underhook (a prerequisite for reversing many BJJ positions) and is back to his feet, this time connected to Brown and pushing him into the cage. Matt unwittingly gave Maia the grappling exchange he’d been looking for.

Brown defends the initial takedown but remember Maia will do anything it takes to bring a fight to the ground. Maia proceeds to pull Brown on top of him where Brown lands in full mount. If your unfamiliar with jiu-jitsu terminology, full mount is the checkmate of jiu-jitsu moves in which your opponent sits astride your chest pressuring down with their bodyweight and hips. Your opponent is free from the control of your legs and able to unload punches and attack submissions from all angles. It is all but over, that is, unless you’re Demian Maia.

Immediately, Maia escapes Matt’s mount and reverses the position – landing on top of Brown.

Three minutes later……

Carlos “The Natural Born Killer” Condit

By Thad

Golden Quotes from Carlos:



“It’s the quiet, humble guy that’s not saying anything. That’s the really dangerous one.”



“I love to fight. I love to smash somebody’s face in, watch ’em bleed in the cage. But outside the cage? I love kids and animals. I’m a pretty gentle guy.”

“I’m a warrior, that’s what I am. And I always knew I was.”

In a sport full of tough guys, warriors, and all around mean sons of bitches, what does it take to warrant the nickname “The Natural Born Killer”? Carlos Condit grew up in a blue collar neighborhood in Albuquerque, NM, where he frequently found himself in backyard scraps and wrestling matches for honor. It was a rough environment, the same environment that Breaking Bad would one day immortalize. As he matured, Carlos witnessed backyard scraps and bar brawls evolve into stabbings and shootings. Luckily, he discovered that one of the finest MMA gyms in the world, Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts, was located nearby. Carlos put his innate tendency towards violence into his MMA training and became obsessed. Shortly after turning 18, he drove across the border to Juarez for his first fight. From that first fight he has evolved into something of an enigma, known for his quiet, calm disposition outside the cage, and a tornado of violence inside it.

Carlos stands a lanky 6’2 and is best known for his highly versatile standing Muay Thai attacks. Muay Thai means “the art of eight limbs” in Thai, and Carlos is master of them all. In a given fight one will see him use both fists, both feet, both elbows, and both knees to punishing effect. The comparison to a tornado is not just a convenient metaphor, Carlos throws his attacks from all angles, often throwing backfists, jumping knees, and sharp spinning elbows like a desert twister.

What’s worse for his opponents? The Natural Born Killer tactically conserves his energy, the wind powering his offensive tornado carrying him well into the fifth round. Recently, he proved the extent of his gas tank and depth of technique, going five full rounds with welterweight champion Robbie Lawler in a fight that in my eyes he won. Condit is a well-rounded force to be reckoned with, and I say he gets the job done the 27th against Maia.

“I’m a warrior, that’s what I am. And I always knew I was.”