Demian Maia (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

Demian Maia has won six straight fights and is line for a title shot, and the legendary Royce Gracie believes it’s because the welterweight has a renewed faith in his jiu-jitsu game.

Last weekend at UFC on FOX 21, Maia quickly took Carlos Condit to the ground and submitted him with a rear-naked-choke. It was the third time the vaunted grappler submitted his opponent during his current winning streak.

Recently MMA Fighting.com spoke with Gracie, and the jiu-jitsu legend had this to say about Maia’s recent success:

“You don’t need to trade punches or allow getting punched in the face to win the fight, and Demian shows that,” Gracie said. “He spent some time wanting to use muay thai, but grew a lot when he started believing in his jiu-jitsu again. You have to work on your stand-up to know what’s coming, but jiu-jitsu is enough to win the fight.”

Following his latest win, Maia said he’s willing to wait to face the winner of the expected bout between champ Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson.