This Week’s MMA Birthdays: Demian Maia Turns 36

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One of modern MMA’s most accomplished and revered submission grapplers, Demian Maia will celebrate his 36th birthday on Nov. 6.

A two-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and 2007 Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist, Maia started his mixed martial arts career 11-0. Five of those first 11 victories came inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Octagon, as he scored consecutive submissions against Ryan Jensen, Ed Herman, Jason MacDonald, Nate Quarry and Chael Sonnen.

Maia owns a 12-5 mark in the UFC and has enjoyed success in two divisions, as he fought for the middleweight crown against Anderson Silva in 2010 and successfully downshifted to 170 pounds two years later. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt last appeared at UFC Fight Night 29 in October, when he dropped a contentious split decision to former Strikeforce, Shooto and EliteXC champion Jake Shields in his native Brazil.

Those in MMA celebrating a birthday the week covering Nov. 3-Nov. 9:

NOV. 3

Anthony Ruiz (36)
Mackens Semerzier (33)
Darrell Montague (26)

NOV. 5

Andrew Huffman (24)

NOV. 6

Demian Maia (36)

NOV. 7

Curtis Stout (40)
Eric Albright (27)

NOV. 9

Mike Russow (37)
Sean Salmon (36)
Andre Winner (32)

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