Demian Maia’s martial arts journey began at a young age. As a child, he first practiced judo for about 2 years, starting at age four.
Recognizing the effectiveness of BJJ after watching an MMA event, Maia dedicated himself intensely to the sport, often training three or four times per day.
In this article, you will learn Demian Maia’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Demian Maia’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Demian Augusto Maia Baptista |
| Born | November 6, 1977 in São Paulo, Brazil |
| Height | 6’0″ (182 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) |
| Martial Arts Background | Started judo at age 4, and later trained in karate and kung fu |
| Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | Began at age 19, earned a black belt in 4 years 7 months |
| BJJ Achievements | World Champion (2x), World Cup Champion (3x), ADCC Champion |
| MMA Record | 28 wins, 11 losses |
| UFC Career | Competed from 2007-2021 |
| UFC Title Fights | Middleweight (2010), Welterweight (2017) |
| Notable UFC Achievements | 7-fight win streak, most wins by a Brazilian fighter |
| Fighting Style | Elite grappler, known for submissions and ground control |
| Education | Degree in Journalism |
| Personal Life | Married to Renata, speaks Portuguese, Spanish and English |
| Other Ventures | Opened a jiu-jitsu academy and museum in São Paulo in 2020 |
| Current Role | UFC Fight Pass Brazil commentary team member (as of 2023) |
Early Career
Demian Maia’s martial arts journey began at the tender age of 4 when he started practicing judo.
As a curious and energetic child, he later explored other disciplines, including karate and kung fu, which helped develop his overall martial arts foundation.
However, it wasn’t until he turned 19 that Maia discovered his true calling in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
Professional Career
Demian Maia’s professional mixed martial arts journey began in 2001, but it was his entry into the UFC in 2007 that truly catapulted him into the spotlight.
Known for his world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills, Maia quickly became a force to be reckoned with in the octagon.
He started his UFC career in the middleweight division, where he showcased his exceptional grappling prowess by winning his first 5 fights via submission.
This impressive streak earned him a reputation as one of the most dangerous ground fighters in the sport.
Wife
Maia is married to Renata, who works for a Brazilian magazine. He is known for his humble demeanor and dedication to martial arts.
Maia speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and English fluently.
Demian Maia’s Net Worth Details
Demian Maia’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Result | Base Salary | Win Bonus | Performance Bonus | Sponsorship | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC 263 | Belal Muhammad | Loss | $175,000 | $0 | $0 | $21,000 | $196,000 |
| UFC 214 | Tyron Woodley | Loss | $110,000 | $0 | $0 | N/A | $110,000+ |
| UFC 198 | Matt Brown | Win | $80,000 | $80,000 | $0 | N/A | $160,000+ |
| UFC 156 | Jon Fitch | Win | $120,000 | $120,000 | $0 | N/A | $240,000+ |
| UFC 153 | Rick Story | Win | $96,000 | $96,000 | $0 | N/A | $192,000+ |
Endorsements
Maia has had sponsorship deals with various brands throughout his career, including:
- Venum
- Bad Boy
- Hayabusa
Fight Stats
| Result | Opponent | Event | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | Belal Muhammad | UFC 263 | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Gilbert Burns | UFC Fight Night 170 | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 2:34 |
| Win | Ben Askren | UFC Fight Night 162 | Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 3 | 3:54 |
| Win | Anthony Rocco Martin | UFC on ESPN 3 | Decision (Majority) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Win | Lyman Good | UFC Fight Night 144 | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 1 | 2:38 |
| Loss | Kamaru Usman | UFC Fight Night 129 | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Colby Covington | UFC Fight Night 119 | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Tyron Woodley | UFC 214 | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 |
| Win | Jorge Masvidal | UFC 211 | Decision (Split) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Win | Carlos Condit | UFC on Fox 21 | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 1 | 1:52 |
| Win | Matt Brown | UFC 198 | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 3 | 4:31 |
| Win | Gunnar Nelson | UFC 194 | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Win | Neil Magny | UFC 190 | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 2 | 2:52 |
FAQs
Is Demian Maia still fighting in the UFC?
No, Maia’s last UFC fight was in June 2021.
What is Demian Maia’s most famous submission?
Maia is known for his rear-naked choke, which he has used to win multiple fights.
Has Demian Maia ever won a UFC championship?
No, but he has fought for both the middleweight and welterweight titles.
What is Demian Maia’s BJJ lineage?
Maia’s lineage is: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Fabio Gurgel > Demian Maia.
Does Demian Maia have his own BJJ academy?
Yes, Maia opened a BJJ academy in São Paulo in 2020.
What is Demian Maia’s educational background?
Maia has a degree in journalism from a Brazilian university.
Has Demian Maia competed in grappling competitions since retiring from MMA?
Yes, Maia has participated in several high-profile grappling matches since his MMA retirement.
What is Demian Maia’s longest UFC win streak?
Maia’s longest UFC win streak was 7 fights between 2014 and 2017.
Has Demian Maia ever been submitted in an MMA fight?
No, Maia has never been submitted in his professional MMA career.
What is Demian Maia doing now after his MMA career?
Maia is focusing on his BJJ academy, participating in grappling competitions, and working as a commentator for UFC Fight Pass Brazil.
