There was a time in MMA's infancy when facing a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
black belt resulted in an almost instantaneous loss by submission if
the fight hit the mat.  Sport grappling virtuosos like Fabricio Werdum
and Demian Maia generated such a buzz when they crossed over that they
may as well have tread to the cage upon a trail of red roses.  If major
promotions were not immediately throwing out offers, their eyes were
keenly trained on how these submission wizards fared.