Demian Maia highlights new mentality and waits for a chance at the belt

Demian is on a six-fight winning streak in the UFC. Photo: Divugacao

It is general consensus that Demian Maia He is experiencing, by far, the best phase of his career. There are six consecutive victories, with names like Gunnar Nelson, Matt Brown and Carlos Condit in its cartel, all of which were overcome without major difficulties. However, recent achievements were not enough to elevate Demian to the position of challenger for the Tyron woodley, currently UFC welterweight champion – Stephen Thompson, with seven consecutive victories, was chosen.

The fact, however, does not worry the jiu-jitsu ace. For Maia, after the confrontation between Woodley and Thompson, which will take place at UFC 205, on November 12, in New York, his chance to fight for the title will appear.

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“They haven't told me anything yet, but I believe there's not much left to run. If their fight goes normally, with both of them doing well, I think I'll be next. That's what everyone says. I even hear UFC employees saying this, it's a consensus that I should fight the winner. But, until the contract is signed... I know the world is going around. Anything can happen”, said the fighter during an interview with the website 'Combate.com'.

However, there is a chance that Demian will not be the next challenger. This is because former champion Georges St-Pierre, it seems, should return to the octagon in the coming months, which could change the Brazilian's plans.

“Then I don’t know if it would be worth waiting. I don't even think about these things so I don't have to waste energy on something that I couldn't solve (…) The problem isn't whether or not to stay still. If I could fight knowing that I would win the title shot regardless of the result, I would definitely fight, because it is important for the athlete to stay in rhythm, and I like fighting. The problem is fighting, and then you get unlucky and lose or the guy fights better than you, and the chance of fighting for the title decreases a lot.

Asked which opponent in the Woodley x Thompson duel would be more difficult in a possible fight for the belt, Maia preferred not to name a favorite and highlighted that both fighters have playing styles that can complicate any opponent.

“I don’t know who is better, I know they are different. They are both very tough, they have already been tested a lot and deserve to be there competing for the title. Tyron deserves to be the champion because he is very thick-skinned, just like Thompson. But, in terms of style, I think this fight is a little better for Thompson, due to the movement, the distance... Woodley always has the danger of the snake kill, but Thompson controls the distance well, it ends up making things a little more complicated for Woodley uses that weapon.”

“I see the strengths of both of them (Woodley and Thompson), but I also see weaknesses that I can exploit in both of them. But I can't clearly analyze who fits my game best. I really can't. Sometimes I think it's one, sometimes it's the other. Very difficult to know”, concluded Demian.