UFC 263: Demian Maia admits ‘it could be the last fight’ against Belal Muhammad
- ‘I’m near the end,’ says Brazilian legend, who will step into the Octagon for 33rd this time weekend
- ‘If the UFC and Dana [White], they want me to do one more fight, I would do it,’ insists Maia, though
Demian Maia is one of MMA’s all-time greatest submission artists – if not the greatest.
But at 43 years of age and on the cusp of 40 professional bouts, he knows his time as a competitor has about run its course.
The Brazilian is just playing things all by ear as he prepares for Belal Muhammad (18-3) this Saturday night at UFC 263 in Glendale, Arizona.
“I’m near the end, and it could be the last fight,” Maia said at the UFC 263 media day. “But, you know, I’ve been performing so well in training camp, and I’ve been feeling so well that I could do one more, couple more – most likely one more after that.
“Of course, it depends, because you perform well in the training camp, and sometimes, you know, you cannot translate it to the Octagon, and so if I can translate well and, of course, UFC and Dana [White], they want me to do one more fight, I would do it. If not, then it would be the last one.”
Maia (28-10) is ranked at No 9 at welterweight and has won three of his past four since a rough three-fight skid.
But whether he’s making his own run or just holding a place in the division, taking on rising talents is nothing new for the Sao Paulo native – all but one of Maia’s losses are against either champions or title challengers.
This weekend Maia will step inside the Octagon for the 33rd time since joining the promotion in 2007, and he’ll be looking for his 15th submission victory.
“He’s a great upcoming guy. He’s evolving for sure,” Maia said of Muhammad. “He’s a good wrestler. He’s used the wrestling, but in the later years, he’s been striking much more, and he trusts his striking abilities. Like every top-15 guy, he’s a pretty tough fighter. It’s not an easy fight. But I’ve been in this situation so many times in my life.”
