Video: Demian bets on strategy to beat Masvidal

First Brazilian to enter the octagon at UFC 211, this Saturday (11), in Dallas (USA), Demian Maia has a single objective: to defeat Jorge masvidal and become the next person to fight for the category belt. The position of challenger could even go to São Paulo, who has six consecutive victories in the category. That's why the champion himself Tyron woodley questioned the fact that Demian agreed to fight one more time before the title fight, but the jiu-jitsu ace clarified that the order came from the organization.

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“Actually, it wasn’t me who changed my mind, it was them (the UFC directors). Of course, the fight for the title was what I wanted most, but they offered me this fight and said that I needed to fight again to fight for the belt, so I accepted”, declared Demian, in an exclusive interview with SUPER LUTAS.

Known worldwide for his sharp grappling, Demian knows that all his opponents will fight on the feet. It will be no different with Masvidal, and that's why the Brazilian is betting that whoever adopts the best strategy will leave with their hand raised at the end of the duel.

“All the guys I fight want to fight against me standing up, that's normal. With Masvidal it will be no different to my last dozens of fights, they want to stay standing and me to take him to the ground. It will be a fight for whoever can impose their game”, said the fighter.

Asked about the 'money fights', Maia guarantees that the term is 'overvalued'. According to him, talking and provoking opponents doesn't make all the difference when it comes to 'selling' fights, but rather how much the UFC helps to promote the athlete.

"First, 'money fights' is very relative, as there are a lot of fights that guys talk about a lot and don't sell. St. Pierre is a guy who never said anything, his last fights were all decided by points, and some people complained about that, but he is one of the biggest sellers of pay-per-view of all time, so much so that the UFC wanted to bring him back in every way. So, selling or not depends a lot on the promotion and marketing that is done with the athlete. O Conor McGregor It wouldn't sell if the UFC hadn't invested millions in it. Everyone talks, selling a lot depends on the UFC's investment, on the guy being a good athlete – Conor is an excellent athlete, there would be no point in him saying what he says if he wasn't good – so it's a marriage of several factors”, explained Demian, who added that he is not interested in a duel against Georges St Pierre.

"I'm not interested). In my case, I'm at a stage in my career where he was a few years ago, I'm looking for the title. That's what I look for nowadays, I don't look for a specific person to fight. It doesn’t matter who they put against me, I want to be champion.”

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW

SUPER FIGHTS: Why did you agree to face the Jorge masvidal instead of waiting for the title fight? 

Demian Maia: Actually, it wasn't me who changed my mind, it was them (the UFC directors). Of course, the title fight was what I wanted most, but they offered me this fight and said I needed to fight again to fight for the belt, so I accepted.

SL: What did you think of the last title fight in the category, in which the Tyron woodley won the rematch against Stephen Thompson at UFC 209 last March?

DM: It was a well studied fight. I believe Thompson won three rounds and Woodley won two, but it was a close fight, just like the first, and Woodley ended up winning.

SL: How do you analyze the marriage of styles for the fight against Jorge masvidal?

DM: All the guys I fight want to fight me standing up, that's normal. With Masvidal it will be no different to my last dozens of fights, they want to stay standing and me to take him to the ground. It will be a fight for whoever can impose their game.

SL: If you win, you should be champion Woodley's next challenger. Does the fact that he is a high-level wrestler worry you in any way? 

DM: Actually, first I need to win this fight, so I can't think about the belt. But I've fought with several high-level wrestlers in the UFC and at the 77kg weight class I managed to take them all down, even in the fights I lost. So that doesn't worry me, I know I'll make it (download) if I do the right training.

SL: How do you evaluate the return on Georges St Pierre to the UFC? 

DM: I think his interest in returning is not linked to the titles, he has already won several titles, but rather in having super fights. Bisping, for him, is a great fight, it's a different challenge. I think he would like to have a fight against Anderson (Silva), against (Conor) McGregor… I think he is looking for that. Maybe the UFC wants to put him in a fight for the belt, but I believe he's looking for the big fights.

SL: Would you be interested in a fight against St. Pierre?

DM: No. In my case, I'm at a stage in my career where he was a few years ago, I'm looking for the title. That's what I look for nowadays, I don't look for a specific person to fight. It doesn't matter who they put against me, I want to be champion.

SL: Do you think that your more reserved style, which chooses not to provoke opponents, could harm you in this new wave of 'money fight'? 

DM: First, 'money fight' is very relative, as there are a lot of fights that guys talk about a lot and don't sell. St. Pierre is a guy who never said anything, his last fights were all decided by points, and some people complained about that, but he is one of the biggest sellers of pay-per-view of all time, so much so that the UFC wanted to bring him back in every way. So, selling or not depends a lot on the promotion and marketing that is done with the athlete. O Conor McGregor It wouldn't sell if the UFC hadn't invested millions in it. Everyone says it, selling a lot depends on the UFC's investment, on the guy being a good athlete – Conor is an excellent athlete, there would be no point in him saying what he says if he wasn't good – so it's a marriage of several factors.