Considered, by many, as one of the greatest Brazilian fighters in the history of MMA, Demian Maia opened up about his future in the sport. In an exclusive interview with the SUPER FIGHTS, the jiu-jitsu legend spoke about the possibility of remaining in the UFC and, despite not having a contract in place, he wants a 'farewell fight' in Brazil.
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“My contract fight, when we negotiated back there, was against (Ben) Askren. When I fought him, I was on a two-fight win streak and I said I would like to do two more. (…) But then the pandemic came, the world changed and I wasn't able to train as I wanted for this last (fight) and I wanted an exciting one. I wanted to do one more, but I knew that my contract ended there. In the UFC, it will depend a lot on whether we have an event with an audience in Brazil, with a 50% chance. If there isn’t an event with an audience in Brazil, I think it’s more difficult,” said Demian.
At 43 years old, Maia is the Brazilian with the highest number of triumphs in Ultimate, where he played between 2007 and 2021. Therefore, the Tupiniquim representative indicated that, if he doesn't have a 'farewell fight' in the organization, he can actually retire from mixed martial arts.
“In jiu-jitsu, for sure. As for MMA, I think it's difficult. Of course there are proposals and you never know what might happen. It’s not possible to nail it, but my idea is to end up in the UFC and I have some projects at the event that depend on that, too”, suggested the Brazilian.
Gratitude for Ultimate
After the defeat to Belal Muhammad | in the unanimous decision of the UFC 263, Demian Maia he even asked for a 'last dance' in the UFC and, later, Dana White declared that he had little interest in renewing his contract. Now, however, the athlete highlighted his gratitude and detailed his relationship with the franchise president.
“I think it would be more elegant (a retirement fight), but each company has a way of seeing things. So this is not in my control. It's his (Dana White) way and we know it. It's not new to me, as I've been at the event for 14 years. There was a time when I suffered from these things. (…) I am very grateful for everything he did for the sport and for us – advice he has already given me, too, but it is logical that, for me, it would have a more elegant form”
Legacy
During his career in MMA, Maia has always been recognized in the mixed martial arts community as a high-level athlete in jiu-jitsu throughout his career. Asked how he wants to be remembered, he highlights that he values the transformation of the 'gentle art', which was taken to the octagon in his career.
“The legacy continues, because as I said, it’s not just about going in there and winning. My legacy was to represent and bring Brazilian jiu-jitsu to as many people as possible because of the transformation it brings to people's lives and this continues with my school, with seminars I give around the world, UFC projects that will continue. This legacy continues throughout life. It’s not over, it’s halfway there and I know I’ll be successful if I continue with it”, he concluded.
Demian Maia He had 33 fights in Ultimate, with 22 triumphs and 11 setbacks. He even challenged for the belt on two occasions – at welterweight (up to 77kg) and middleweight (up to 83,9kg), but was defeated by Anderson Silva e Tyron woodleyrespectively.
