ZenQuest’s Jiu-jitsu guru Demian Maia dominated undefeated up-and-comer Ryan LaFlare in the main event of the UFC’s Fight Night Rio on March 21st. The Unanimous Decision for his 20th appearance in the “Big Show” was in spite of a debilitating case of “Osteomyelitis” (a severe bone infection) in the fall of last year that kept Demian from training, and weakened his body for over four months. The set backs from the injury took their toll in the last round of the fight, but for the first four rounds, Demian was nothing short of brilliant with an incredible display of wrestling and Jiu-jitsu strategies.
Just a few days after his fight, Demian traveled to ZenQuest to provide training for most of his North American affiliate schools. Instructors from Florida, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Washington and, of course, ZenQuest were drilled on technique and strategy, teaching standards, and class structure in Demian’s Jiu-jitsu system. Demian was assisted by his own Instructors Silvio Moraes and Marcelo “Manga” Fraguas. In all, fourteen hours of intensive training were covered over the four days between Thursday, March 26th and Sunday, March 29th.
Demian also conducted an open three-hour seminar on Saturday, March 28th. Almost fifty participants, including five kids, learned some amazing material for both Gi (with the traditional uniform) and No-Gi (without.) Students saw several new strategies for different situations, AND some new twists on other “old school” techniques.
At the end of the seminar four students from ZenQuest were promoted including: Mike Jezak to Blue Belt, Dan Dufur to 1-stripe Blue, Herb Gregg received his Purple Belt, and Tim Somerville was promoted to 1-stripe Purple Belt. Also, at the end of the affiliate training, some of the affiliate instructors were promoted including Coach Connie, who received her 2nd-stripe Brown Belt, and Coach Mark who received his 3rd-stripe Brown Belt.
Demian and his management team are in the process of developing systems to better organize and publicize their affiliate network. One of the improvements soon to come is a new website which features more information about his affiliate schools and their Instructors. Other improvements that Demian and his team covered in the affiliate training will be phased into ZenQuest’s Jiu-jitsu program over the coming months. These include the addition of some “Fundamentals” classes to schedule for newer students, and some adjustments to the regular class format. These are all ultimately designed to enhance students’ learning experience and produce even better Jiu-jitsu players under Demian Maia!
While Demian was here, he appeared on the Slater and Meg morning show on Live 95.9 Berkshire Radio. DJ Mike Heck, a big MMA fan, interviewed Professor Maia . . . asking several really interesting questions about the process of preparing for a typical fight. Coach Mark was also asked to talk about the Jiu-jitsu program at ZenQuest, and why Demian's particular style of BJJ is practiced there. The answer: The combination of Demian's effectiveness on the mat and in the cage, with his systematic approach to teaching AND his down to earth, even temperament is PERFECT for ZenQuest!
Congrats to all of those promoted and thanks to everyone who participated in the seminar and affiliate training. Special thanks to Demian and his team!!
Just a few days after his fight, Demian traveled to ZenQuest to provide training for most of his North American affiliate schools. Instructors from Florida, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Washington and, of course, ZenQuest were drilled on technique and strategy, teaching standards, and class structure in Demian’s Jiu-jitsu system. Demian was assisted by his own Instructors Silvio Moraes and Marcelo “Manga” Fraguas. In all, fourteen hours of intensive training were covered over the four days between Thursday, March 26th and Sunday, March 29th.
Demian also conducted an open three-hour seminar on Saturday, March 28th. Almost fifty participants, including five kids, learned some amazing material for both Gi (with the traditional uniform) and No-Gi (without.) Students saw several new strategies for different situations, AND some new twists on other “old school” techniques.
At the end of the seminar four students from ZenQuest were promoted including: Mike Jezak to Blue Belt, Dan Dufur to 1-stripe Blue, Herb Gregg received his Purple Belt, and Tim Somerville was promoted to 1-stripe Purple Belt. Also, at the end of the affiliate training, some of the affiliate instructors were promoted including Coach Connie, who received her 2nd-stripe Brown Belt, and Coach Mark who received his 3rd-stripe Brown Belt.
Demian and his management team are in the process of developing systems to better organize and publicize their affiliate network. One of the improvements soon to come is a new website which features more information about his affiliate schools and their Instructors. Other improvements that Demian and his team covered in the affiliate training will be phased into ZenQuest’s Jiu-jitsu program over the coming months. These include the addition of some “Fundamentals” classes to schedule for newer students, and some adjustments to the regular class format. These are all ultimately designed to enhance students’ learning experience and produce even better Jiu-jitsu players under Demian Maia!
While Demian was here, he appeared on the Slater and Meg morning show on Live 95.9 Berkshire Radio. DJ Mike Heck, a big MMA fan, interviewed Professor Maia . . . asking several really interesting questions about the process of preparing for a typical fight. Coach Mark was also asked to talk about the Jiu-jitsu program at ZenQuest, and why Demian's particular style of BJJ is practiced there. The answer: The combination of Demian's effectiveness on the mat and in the cage, with his systematic approach to teaching AND his down to earth, even temperament is PERFECT for ZenQuest!
Congrats to all of those promoted and thanks to everyone who participated in the seminar and affiliate training. Special thanks to Demian and his team!!
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