Demian Maia expects UFC title shot next, but 'not going to sell' to be champion

DALLAS – Demian Maia was forced to take the scenic route in his quest to become UFC welterweight champion, but it appears his opportunity will finally come after beating Jorge Masvidal on Saturday at UFC 211.

Maia (25-6 MMA, 19-6 UFC) earned his seventh consecutive victory at 170 pounds when he outworked Masvidal (32-12 MMA, 9-5 UFC) for a split-decision to set up a future showdown with champion Tyron Woodley. At least that’s what he hopes is going to happen.

UFC President Dana White said Maia would be next in line for Woodley (17-2-1 MMA, 7-2-1 UFC) if he won at UFC 211, which took place at American Airlines Center in Dallas with the main card on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and UFC Fight Pass. The Brazilian did just that, earning his 19th overall UFC win to move into a tie for second place on the all-time list behind Michael Bisping (20).

In an era in which trash talk and rivalries have surfaced as a key component in fight promotion, Maia has remained true to himself by working hard and staying respectful. And he said no matter what happens, that’s not going to change.

“I’m not going to sell myself just because I want to be a champion, just because I want to make more money,” Maia told reporters after his victory. “I don’t sell myself. I am what I am. For a lot of people, for my kids, I don’t want to change. … It’s a big mistake to try to please everybody. I have fans and I’m looking at them. I fight for them. … I have my principles and I’m not going to change my principles.”

After a difficult fight in which he absorbed some hard strikes from Masvidal that cut him open, Maia said he intends to take some time off before moving into a fight with Woodley. He has a number of upcoming jiu-jitsu seminars to host as well as plans for recovery and family time. But at 39, it’s possible time could be of the essence.

Maia fell short in his first UFC title-fight opportunity when he unsuccessfully challenged Anderson Silva for the middleweight belt at UFC 112 in April 2010. He lost a unanimous decision in one of the more bizarre fights in UFC history, but has since reestablished himself at welterweight and is on the longest active winning streak in the weight class.

His attempt at an eighth consecutive victory may be the most challenging of all, though. Maia said he’s aware Woodley presents a difficult stylistic matchup. Maia welcomes the task, and said he’s been around the sport long enough to know he can beat anyone on a given night.

“I saw some things in Tyron’s game I can capitalize on, which I’m not going to say right now,” Maia said. “I know the gaps that he has, but he’s pretty dangerous. His hands are heavy, he’s short so it’s probably hard to take down a good wrestler. So it’s a very, very hard matchup for me but once I get there’s it’s 50-50. I know that.

“I’ve been in this division for 12 fights. I’ve won 10 fights, and almost all of those fights have been against top-15 and top-10 competitors. I know my level and I know I can win against anyone in this division.”

For complete coverage of UFC 211, check out the UFC Events section of the site.