For the first time in his career, Demian Maia will go into a UFC cage coming off two straight losses.

The São Paulo native, lost to Jake Shields and Rory MacDonald recently, had never experienced two consecutive setbacks since he debuted in MMA in 2001.

The 36 year old athlete will return to the Octagon on Saturday at the TUF Brazil 3 Finale, held in São Paulo. His opponent will be Alexander Yakovlev, a rookie in the UFC , who has three straight victories. Although aware of the dangers that the Russian has to offer, Demian trusts his training.

Alexander Yakovlev also known as Sultan Tikhaev, is a Russian mixed martial artist and rapper. Yakovlev is recognized as an aggressive welterweight competitor who competed in the M-1 Global, ProFC, Shooto Russia, and Bodog Fight promotions. Yakovlev’s martial arts background included training in Sambo and Freestyle Wrestling prior to turning his attention to professional fighting at the age of nineteen.

Yakovlev has beaten Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley

In an interview with tatame, Demian said that the pressure is constant before each fight:

“I always feel pressure. Coming off a loss or victory, we’re always pressured, but coming from a losing phase changes it slightly. I try not to think about it (being cut), because if I think about that, I end up not training well, and I have to think about always doing my best.”

 

“He is the first Russian will face. I’m getting ready just like any fight. He may have a Sambo base, but I see that he also has a good boxing and a good takedowns. Generally, those who fight me train more striking, but I saw him with a natural reaction to takedowns. It will depend on how he will feel in the fight: if he gets cornered, He will want to trade; If he feels at ease, he might want to take me down, “he analyzed.

Demian had a title shot in 2010, when he faced Anderson Silva – but was beaten by the Spider via unanimous decision. Today, fighting at welterweight, he ensures that he is still hungry for the title. And his eighth place ranking in the division makes him want it even more.

“My desire is still the belt, I’m there for that. On the day that I no longer have the desire at the title, I will stop fighting. My next fight is another step for me to reach my goal, ”

 

Alexander ‘Bad Boy’ Yakovlev vs Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley MMA November 2013 LEGEND-2 HD (OFFICIAL):