ESK: Dan Miller was recently awarded his black belt under Jamie Cruz, and is known as someone who likes to take his fights to the ground as well. Usually when you have two ground fighters doing battle, a stand-up war ensues. How do you see this fight going?

Maia: I think we are going to fight every place, but normally, it's my nature and his nature to want to engage in a grappling fight. I think he's not going to avoid and I'm not to avoid the grappling fight.

ESK: Without overlooking Dan Miller, where does a win at UFC 109 put you in the middleweight division?

Maia: You know I prefer to not talk about that and keep my focus on this fight. After this fight we're going to think about that. I prefer to not lose my focus right now.

ESK: Many people view you as a throwback to Royce Gracie's early days in the UFC, winning fights without throwing many strikes. Do you feel any pressure from those comparisons?

Maia: No, I like Royce and he is, of course, one of my idols. I know him a bit, so for me, I feel no pressure. It's a big honor to represent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and be compared to a guy like Royce.

ESK: Is there any part of you that wants to walk into the Octagon and knock Dan Miller out, so people realize you are more than just a submission artist?

Maia: No, no, no; I want to keep submitting opponents. I'm training to be ready to go and try to fight striking also, but my desire is always to submit a fighter.

ESK: Is simply to continue to show - as you said - the beauty and the artistry of jiu jitsu or just because that is where you're most skilled?

Maia: I have a philosophy and believe in that philosophy which is BJJ, so that's what I want to do.

ESK: I think you and Thiago Silva are the only Brazilian MMA fighters without a unique nickname. Is there something everyone calls you that we can officially start using as your nickname? Even Cole Miller has a cool Brazilian nickname, and he's from Georgia.

Maia: I think it's because my name is very different in Brazil. Demian is different. Even people have a hard time pronouncing, so it's kind of like a nickname already. It's a common name here, but not in Brazil, so that's why I don't have a nickname.

ESK: We're going to have to come up with one at some point. Everyone likes a good nickname.

Maia: Yeah, yeah, I know.

ESK: With Wanderlei moving down to 185 now, what are your thoughts on competing against your close friend for the same title?

Maia: I prefer to think in today and not in the future. You know, Wanderlei is my big friend. I hope he will do very well against (Michael) Bisping (at UFC 110) and I think he will win.

ESK: So thoughts of future fights against guys like Wanderlei or Anderson Silva don't concern you right now?

Maia: I just think about Dan Miller right now.

ESK: There is a very proud history with this sport in Brazil, from Vale Tudo and BJJ to the Gracie Family, Chute Boxe and many, many others. Would you like to see the UFC make a trip to Brazil...