Following Maia’s latest brilliant finish against Carlos Condit he shrugged off a possible match with Georges St-Pierre. He was focused on getting a title shot. As is, the chance to acquire the title evades him for now. The UFC booked Stephen Thompson vs Tyron Woodley first. Still, Maia believes he will get to face the victor of that match as soon as possible.
Maia explained what his reaction was when the UFC officially announced Thompson vs Woodley:
“You know, I knew that could happen because Thompson came from a 7 win streak. And his last two fights were against very good fighters. And he also deserves (it). I just hope that after their fight I would get the winner. “
He also talked about the record amount of punches he “ate” in his last couple of bouts:
“It’s not cautious, in the fight I don’t think about that .. you know to be able to close the distance, clinch with the guy and as I’m clinching with the guy it’s hard for them to punch me so and when I stand up I’m not so close that you punch me …”
One additional goal of Maia’s is to avoid as much brain damage as possible.
“My goal is not to be a champion but also to be healthy when I finish my career.”
And as far as GSP fight, GSP said a while back:
“Tyron Woodley, I would fight Tyron Woodley. Nick Diaz. Maia, looked pretty good in his last fight. These guys can elevate me,” GSP said. “They are not guys that I’m necessarily supposed to beat. So it’s a big risk, but I’m willing to take the risk because these guys are going to elevate me.”
Maia commented on the prospect of a December Toronto bound fight with GSP:
“I’ll just wait for the next month and you know I’m almost sure I would get the winner and I think that’s the way it will be because there is.. I don’t see nobody getting the title before me. But before me but about George I think he’s looking for big fights like … lot of promotion, lot of money – I think he’s more thinking about that because he got everything he could get as a sports side of the mixed martial arts.”
Below is attached the entire interview with Demian Maia
