Maia Mines Gracie Knowledge

Hailed by many as the torchbearer for Brazilian jiu-jitsu in mixed martial arts, unbeaten middleweight contender Demian Maia will face perhaps his stiffest test as a professional when he collides with Nate Marquardt at UFC 102 on Aug. 29 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Ore.

In advance of his showdown with Marquardt, Maia attended Art of War 12 in Beijing, China, last month and used the opportunity to sharpen his world-class ground skills. Four Gracies were there to meet him.

“It’s not every day that you have the opportunity to have breakfast with Royce, Rickson, Royler and Renzo,” Maia said. “Four guys that I always considered as my idols in jiu-jitsu.”

Maia (10-0) -- who has submitted all five of his UFC foes with chokes -- spent much of his time with the Gracies backstage. Though they all showed an interest in his performance in the Octagon, Renzo Gracie took the proverbial bull by the horns.

“Right after the breakfast, Renzo went to my room,” Maia said. “We turned up one of the beds and spent almost two hours on the carpet.”

Gracie adjusted 12 positions Maia likes to use and showed him a couple of new techniques that might translate well in the cage. Against Marquardt, a fellow Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, the help could come in handy.

“I’m really impressed with Renzo’s knowledge of jiu-jitsu, as applied to MMA,” Maia said. “Besides very important tips to correct my positions, he also showed so many important details about positioning that I needed to write down on paper and not forget.”

Maia, who last appeared at UFC 95 when he submitted Chael Sonnen with a beautiful triangle choke, spent four productive days in Beijing.

“When I step in the ring, I represent Brazilian jiu-jitsu, created more than 100 years ago by the Gracie family,” Maia said. “There’s nothing better than drinking from the fountain of all their knowledge and getting all the details I need to make it better each time. I just have to thank those four guys, who I always considered as idols for all the important tips they gave to me.”