Hello, mixed martial artist fans! If you love following the MMA and admire world-class, Demian Maia is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Demian Maia is a legendary Brazilian MMA fighter and jiu-jitsu specialist known as one of the best grapplers to ever compete in the UFC, with a long career across middleweight and welterweight divisions. He built his name on elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu, competing for UFC titles in two weight classes and earning a reputation as a submission master.
Demian Maia’s Biography
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Name | Demian Augusto Maia Baptista |
| Nickname | Maia |
| Date of Birth | November 6, 1977 |
| Current Age | 47 years old |
| Place of Birth | São Paulo, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (186 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) |
| Reach | 72 inches (183 cm) |
| College/University | Cásper Líbero |
| Religion | N/A |
| Turned Professional | 2001 |
| Primary Weight Classes | Middleweight & Welterweight |
| Spouse | Renata |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | Has children |
| Instagram Profile | @demianmaia |
| Net Worth | Approximately $1 million |
| Average UFC Salary | $64,000 – $175,000 per fight |
| Total UFC Career Earnings | Over $1 million |
Early Career
Demian Maia’s journey into martial arts started at just four years old when his father enrolled him in judo training. He trained in judo until age six, then shifted his focus during his teenage years, experimenting with karate and kung fu to broaden his martial arts foundation. At nineteen, his cousin introduced him to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Maia was immediately captivated. After training for approximately four years and seven months, he received his black belt from Fabio Gurgel.
Inspired by watching Royce and Rickson Gracie compete, Maia decided to pursue mixed martial arts professionally. His first professional MMA fight occurred in 2001 in Venezuela against Raul Sosa, which he won via technical knockout in just forty-eight seconds at a tournament called “Tormenta Del Ring.”
Professional MMA Career
Maia made his UFC debut on October 20, 2007, at UFC 77, earning $10,000 for his appearance. He quickly established himself as an elite submission artist, reeling off an impressive eleven consecutive victories early in his UFC tenure. His dominance in submission wrestling earned him multiple “Submission of the Night” bonuses, including a historic feat of winning three consecutive submission bonuses at UFC 83, 87, and 95. After his perfect start to his UFC career, Maia received a title shot against middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 112 in 2010, but lost via unanimous decision.
He later moved to the welterweight division, where he had tremendous success, putting together a seven-fight winning streak that earned him a shot at welterweight champion Tyron Woodley at UFC 214 in 2017. However, Maia fell short again, losing via unanimous decision in another closely contested title fight. Maia was released from the UFC in August 2021 after his contract ended, finishing his professional MMA record at 28 wins and 11 losses, with 14 of those victories coming by submission.
Wife
Demian Maia is happily married to Renata, his supportive spouse who has stood by him throughout his fighting career. The couple has children together, though Maia has chosen to keep specific details about his family relatively private from the public eye. His wife occasionally appears in his social media posts, and Maia has referenced his family as a source of motivation and grounding in interviews about his personal life outside the octagon.
Demian Maia’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Demian Maia’s estimated net worth is approximately $1 million. His wealth comes from multiple sources beyond his UFC salary. While his disclosed UFC fight earnings total over $1 million across his career (with individual fights ranging from $10,000 to $175,000), his net worth includes income from his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in São Paulo called Demian Maia Jiu-Jitsu, which also houses a Jiu-Jitsu museum dedicated to the sport’s history.
Additionally, Maia has generated income through instructional BJJ videos and DVDs, including “The Science Of Jiu Jitsu 1 & 2” and “The Maia Backpack System: Controlling The Back,” available on platforms like BJJ Fanatics. His collaborations with martial arts companies and his ongoing coaching and mentoring work in the BJJ community continue to contribute to his overall wealth.
Fight Purses and Notable UFC Earnings
| Event | Year | Opponent | Result | Base Purse | Win Bonus | Special Bonus | Total Disclosed |
| UFC 77 | 2007 | Ryan Stout | TKO Win | $10,000 | — | — | $10,000 |
| UFC 91 | 2008 | Nate Quarry | Submission Win | $40,000 | — | Submission of the Night | $50,000+ |
| UFC 95 | 2009 | Chael Sonnen | Submission Win | — | — | Submission of the Night | $50,000+ |
| UFC 102 | 2009 | Nate Marquardt | KO Loss | $28,000 | — | — | $28,000 |
| UFC 109 | 2010 | Dan Miller | Decision Win | $62,000 | — | — | $62,000 |
| UFC 118 | 2010 | Mario Miranda | Decision Win | $68,000 | — | — | $68,000 |
| TUF 12 Finale | 2010 | Demian Maia | — | $80,000 | — | — | $80,000 |
| UFC 131 | 2011 | — | — | $43,000 | — | — | $43,000 |
| UFC 136 | 2011 | — | — | $86,000 | — | — | $86,000 |
| UFC 148 | 2012 | — | — | $96,000 | — | — | $96,000 |
| UFC 153 | 2012 | Rick Story | Submission Win | $108,000 | — | — | $108,000 |
| UFC 156 | 2013 | Jon Fitch | Decision Win | $120,000 | — | — | $120,000 |
| UFC Fight Night 29 | 2013 | Jake Shields | Decision Loss | $64,000 | — | — | $64,000 |
| UFC 170 | 2014 | Rory MacDonald | Decision Loss | $64,000 | — | — | $64,000 |
| TUF Brazil 3 Finale | 2014 | — | — | $128,000 | — | — | $128,000 |
| UFC 190 | 2015 | Neil Magny | Submission Win | $136,000 | — | Reebok Sponsorship $20,000 | $156,000 |
| UFC 198 | 2016 | Matt Brown | Submission Win | — | — | Performance of the Night | $50,000+ |
| UFC 214 | 2017 | Tyron Woodley | Decision Loss | — | — | — | Undisclosed |
| UFC Fight Night 119 | 2017 | Colby Covington | Decision Loss | — | — | — | Undisclosed |
| UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. LaFlare | 2015 | Ryan LaFlare | Submission Win | $136,000 | — | — | $136,000 |
| UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields | 2013 | Jake Shields | Decision Loss | $64,000 | — | — | $64,000 |
| UFC Singapore | 2019 | Ben Askren | Submission Win | — | — | Fight of the Night $50,000 | $50,000+ |
| UFC 263 | 2021 | Belal Muhammad | Decision Loss | $175,000 | — | — | $175,000 |
Endorsements
- Reebok Sponsorship: Received UFC-Reebok sponsorship payments during his fighting years, earning top non-title sponsorship payouts at various UFC events
- BJJ Fanatics: Collaborated with BJJ Fanatics to release instructional videos including “The Maia Backpack System: Controlling The Back,” a highly acclaimed series on back control techniques
- Demian Maia Jiu-Jitsu Academy: Operates his own BJJ academy in São Paulo, Brazil, serving as both a training facility and business venture
- Jiu-Jitsu Museum: Built and maintains a museum attached to his academy dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Instructional DVD Series: Released “The Science Of Jiu Jitsu 1 & 2” videos covering advanced grappling techniques and jiu-jitsu philosophy
- UFC Fight Pass Commentary: Works as a commentator for UFC Fight Pass Brazil, sharing his expertise with international audiences
- Team Affiliations: Associated with Team Nogueira and Wand Fight Team for coaching and training partnerships
Career Records
| Opponent Name | Event | Year | Weight Class | Result | Method | Round | Significance |
| Anderson Silva | UFC 112 | 2010 | Middleweight | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | UFC Title Shot |
| Tyron Woodley | UFC 214 | 2017 | Welterweight | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | UFC Title Shot |
| Chael Sonnen | UFC 95 | 2009 | Middleweight | Win | Submission (Triangle Choke) | 1 | Submission of the Night |
| Nate Quarry | UFC 91 | 2008 | Middleweight | Win | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | 1 | Submission of the Night |
| Nate Marquardt | UFC 102 | 2009 | Middleweight | Loss | KO (Punch) | 1 | First Career Loss |
| Dan Miller | UFC 109 | 2010 | Middleweight | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | Return to Winning |
| Carlos Condit | UFC on Versus 11 | 2011 | Middleweight | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | Notable Victory |
| Rick Story | UFC 153 | 2012 | Welterweight | Win | Submission (Neck Crank) | 1 | Welterweight Debut Success |
| Jon Fitch | UFC 156 | 2013 | Welterweight | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | Title Contender Defeated |
| Jake Shields | UFC Fight Night 29 | 2013 | Welterweight | Loss | Decision (Split) | 5 | Momentum Halted |
| Rory MacDonald | UFC 170 | 2014 | Welterweight | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | Ranked Opponent Loss |
| Neil Magny | UFC 190 | 2015 | Welterweight | Win | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | 2 | Strong Comeback Win |
| Matt Brown | UFC 198 | 2016 | Welterweight | Win | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | 3 | Performance of the Night |
| Colby Covington | UFC Fight Night 119 | 2017 | Welterweight | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | Momentum Loss |
| Ben Askren | UFC Singapore | 2019 | Welterweight | Win | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | 3 | Fight of the Night |
| Gilbert Burns | UFC Fight Night 170 | 2020 | Welterweight | Loss | TKO (Round 1) | 1 | Final UFC Career Loss (TKO) |
| Belal Muhammad | UFC 263 | 2021 | Welterweight | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | Final UFC Fight |
FAQs
1. What is Demian Maia’s main fighting style?
Demian Maia’s primary fighting style is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, specifically focused on submission grappling and control-based wrestling. He’s renowned for his exceptional ability to control opponents through positional dominance and finish fights with submissions, particularly rear-naked chokes and triangle chokes. While he trained in judo, karate, and kung fu early in his career, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became his signature weapon and competitive focus throughout his professional fighting career.
2. Why did Demian Maia never win a UFC championship?
Despite being one of the most technically skilled fighters in UFC history, Demian Maia faced two championship opportunities and came up short in both. His first title shot against Anderson Silva at UFC 112 resulted in a unanimous decision loss. His second chance came seven years later against Tyron Woodley at UFC 214, where he again lost via unanimous decision. Against both champions, Maia struggled to implement his grappling game due to the defensive wrestling abilities of his opponents and his limited striking attack, which made it difficult for him to take control of fights on his terms.
3. How many submission victories does Demian Maia have in his career?
Demian Maia has 14 submission victories in his overall MMA career, making him one of the most prolific submission artists in UFC history. Specifically, within the UFC, he has 11 submission wins, which ties him for third most submission victories in UFC history. Of these submissions, nine were rear-naked chokes, making him the fighter with the most rear-naked choke victories in UFC history. His signature submission technique demonstrates his mastery of back control and positioning.
4. When did Demian Maia retire from professional MMA?
Demian Maia officially retired from professional MMA in August 2021 after his contract with the UFC ended. His final professional MMA fight was against Belal Muhammad on June 12, 2021, at UFC 263, which he lost via unanimous decision. After nearly two decades competing in the UFC (from 2007 to 2021), Maia transitioned fully to coaching, managing his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy, creating instructional content, and working as a commentator for UFC Fight Pass.
5. Does Demian Maia have any instructional BJJ videos or educational content?
Yes, Demian Maia has created several instructional BJJ videos and educational materials. He released “The Science Of Jiu Jitsu 1 & 2,” a comprehensive DVD series covering advanced grappling techniques and jiu-jitsu philosophy. He also created “The Maia Backpack System: Controlling The Back,” an exclusive instructional video series available on BJJ Fanatics that focuses specifically on back control techniques and positioning. These educational resources have become popular among serious Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners worldwide.
6. What is Demian Maia’s belt rank in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Demian Maia is a 5th degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under the instruction of Fabio Gurgel. He earned his initial black belt after approximately four years and seven months of training under Gurgel’s tutelage. His advancement to 5th degree represents decades of continued excellence, technical innovation, and contributions to the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This high rank reflects his status as one of the most respected and influential figures in the BJJ community.
7. Where is Demian Maia’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy located?
Demian Maia’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy, called Demian Maia Jiu-Jitsu (DMJJB), is located in São Paulo, Brazil. The academy serves as both a training facility and a place for serious grapplers to develop their skills. Notably, the academy is attached to a Jiu-Jitsu museum that Maia built to preserve and showcase the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and his own career achievements. The academy’s mission focuses on empowering individuals through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while fostering physical health, mental sharpness, and self-confidence.
8. What are Demian Maia’s biggest victories in UFC history?
Some of Demian Maia’s most significant UFC victories include his submission win over Chael Sonnen at UFC 95, where he executed a perfect triangle choke in the first round. His victories over Carlos Condit, Neil Magny, and Matt Brown were also notable, as these were high-ranked opponents. His submission victory over Ben Askren at UFC Singapore in 2019 earned him a “Fight of the Night” bonus and proved he could still perform at an elite level even late in his career. His wins over multiple title contenders and his ability to defeat skilled competitors throughout his career established his legacy.
9. How much has Demian Maia earned throughout his MMA and BJJ careers?
While exact total earnings are not publicly disclosed, Demian Maia’s disclosed UFC fight earnings exceeded $1 million across his career, with individual fights ranging from $10,000 to $175,000. Additionally, his income from his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy, instructional videos, sponsorships (including Reebok), and other business ventures have contributed to his estimated 2025 net worth of approximately $1 million. His current earnings continue through his academy operations, coaching, content creation, and media appearances as a UFC commentator.
10. What inspired Demian Maia to pursue Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA?
Demian Maia’s inspiration to pursue Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu came from watching Royce and Rickson Gracie compete in early UFC events. Seeing how their grappling dominated opponents from other fighting backgrounds fascinated Maia and convinced him that he wanted to pursue martial arts as a career. His cousin introduced him to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age nineteen, and he immediately fell in love with the discipline. Maia has stated in interviews that he wanted to become a successful Brazilian martial artist and was drawn to the cultural significance of Jiu-Jitsu within Brazil, which led him to transition from his earlier training in judo, karate, and kung fu exclusively to focusing on BJJ as his primary fighting methodology.