Jake Shields looking to test American Jiu-Jitsu against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of Demian Maia

Bloody Elbow 2.0 | Anton Tabuena

In one corner, American Jiu-Jitsu. In the other corner, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. On the two fighters records, a combined 19 submission victories and zero submission defeats. That’s where things will stand on October 9 when Jake Shields meets Demian Maia in the main event of UFC Fight Night 29.

If you are unfamiliar with the American Jiu-Jitsu style that Shields employs, that may be because it’s not a widely practiced form of Jiu-Jitsu. In fact, in a 2009 interview with Sports Illustrated, Shields said it’s a style that he invented:

I have a super aggressive style of Jiu-Jitsu. The old style of Jiu-Jitsu is just to kick back, relax and wait for things to happen. But I think the wrestling mentality of forcing things and making them happen, called “American Jiu-Jitsu,” a style I made up, is go, go, go.

Shields (28-6-1) has used that style to submit ten previous opponents, the last being Robbie Lawler during a 2009 Strikeforce bout. Shields is looking forward to testing his style of Jiu-Jitsu against the more traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of Maia.

Shields speaking to Inside MMA said:

I want to show that the best American guys can beat the best Brazilian guys. I want to go out there and try and submit him. I would like to take it to the ground and make him tap.

Maia (18-4) has nine submissions to his name, his last being the neck crank that he applied to Rick Story at UFC 153.

If a submission does occur in this bout, it will be the first submission defeat in the career of either fighter. Shields is aware of that fact and seems to have a healthy respect for the ground game of Maia:

He is the most dangerous guy I’ve ever faced as far as the ground goes. There’s never really been a fight where I’ve been worried about the guy’s submissions. This is the one guy that has the potential to submit me.

Shields and Maia will meet on October 9 at Ginásio José Corrêa in Barueri, Brazil. The welterweight bout will headline the 11-fight event.

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About the author

Trent Reinsmith

Trent Reinsmith is a freelance writer based out of Baltimore, MD. He has been covering sports for more than 15 years, with a focus on MMA for most of that time. Trent focuses on the day-to-day business of MMA — both inside and outside the cage — for Bloody Elbow.