UFC Signs Submission Expert Demian Maia

The UFC has signed undefeated Demian Maia, who just happens to be the 2007 Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) World Submission Grappling Championship cruiserweight winner. One of the world's most celebrated submission tournaments, the ADCC was created on suggestion from Renzo and Royler Gracie, as has, over the years, played host to some of the top names in MMA.

The tournament Maia won has included past competitors such as...get ready for it...Shinya Aoki, Ricardo Arona, Urijah Faber, Takanori Gomi, Gabriel Gonzaga, a million Gracies, Matt Hughes, Denis Kang, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Tito Ortiz, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Maia, while having fought less than the top competition, has only fought fighters with winning records. He'll offer a much-needed boost to UFC's Middleweight division (its weakest), while offering a contrasting style to that of Silva and Franklin. This is a good first step to both beef up the MW division and create some diversity of technique, two things that are sorely needed in the UFC.