Demian Maia reveals that he thought about a rematch against Anderson Silva

UFC's first visit to Abu Dhabi had A. Silva against D. Maia. Photo: Disclosure/UFC

The main fight of UFC 112, an event held in April 2010, was one of the lowest points in Ultimate's history to date. On the organization's first visit to Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, Anderson Silva e Demian Maia They staged one of the most bizarre fights ever seen, complete with several provocations and jokes from the then middleweight champion and little action in practice.

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It wasn't just the fans present who were upset by the fight. Demian himself, then challenging for the under-84 kg title, was also intrigued by what happened, which even made him think about getting a rematch against “Spider”.

The Brazilian, now a welterweight fighter, never spoke very openly about that fateful night, but he broke his silence in an interview with the North American podcast “The MMA Fighting”.

“It was something different there. It was sad because, for the first time in my career, I didn't believe I could win during the fight. Afterwards I even improved, but by the second or third rounds, I thought: 'I'm not going to win. Maybe I'll get knocked out.' It was the first and only time in my life that I felt this”, said the Brazilian fighter.

One of the things most remembered by fans that night was Anderson's provocative stance, who, in Portuguese, hurled several insults at Demian.

“He said things like 'where's your jiu-jitsu now?' and he called me a playboy. But I was never rich. Maybe it was because I studied and have a university degree. My family was never rich. My mother and I were even evicted when I was a child. These are stereotypes that people create. I've never said this to anyone, but I've already thought about winning the welterweight title and challenging him. But now I don’t care anymore”, revealed Demian.

However, the jiu-jitsu black belt admits that he is now living another phase in his life and that the hurt feelings with Anderson are behind him. “At first I even thought he was an idiot, because he doesn't know my life. But it does not matter. Before, we had many mutual friends and would greet each other. So, it was a surprise, but it doesn't matter. He made his mistakes, I made mine, and I hope all is well with him and his family.”

Today, Demian is focused on getting a shot at the UFC welterweight belt. In May, he will face Matt Brown, and believes that, in case of another victory, he should receive the opportunity. “Give me the title fight if I win. If I win, I want to fight for the title. Forget [Conor] McGregor,” said the fighter, referring to rumors that the Irishman could challenge the champion in 2016.

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