UFC 207's Dong Hyun Kim still calling out Demian Maia, hopes to steal title shot

LAS VEGAS – For a guy whose last three fights were marred by opponent changes and withdrawals, a short-notice booking with oft-injured opponent would be cause for concern.

UFC welterweight Dong Hyun Kim (21-3-1 MMA, 12-3 UFC) admits he worried whether Tarec Saffiedine (16-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) would show up when he signed on to replace Matt Brown at Friday’s UFC 207. It’s hard to blame him considering Saffiendine’s long history of withdrawing from bouts after mishaps in training.

“I was actually praying I’d be able to enter the arena in Las Vegas,” Kim told MMAjunkie via interprer during a media day in support of the event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Thankfully, Saffiedine showed, and the fight is on for the pay-per-view main card in a bout that could leave Kim with a three-fight win streak or bring Saffiedine redemption after a 1-2 run.

Kim has only officially lost in the UFC on three occasions, most recently to current champ Tyron Woodley. But he’s not counting out his chances to get back in the hunt.

“To be in the title run, I think I have to dominate this fight, not just a win, but a dominating performance,” he said. “After this fight, I’d like to fight Demian Maia.”

It’s a big ask, given that Maia is widely credited as the rightful No. 1 contender in the welterweight division, even though he’s struggled to earn that distinction from the UFC. Maia beat Kim four years ago under unusual circumstances; Kim suffered a muscle spasm and was stopped in just 47 seconds.

But it’s not the first time the South Korean fighter has targeted Maia, whom he’s called “the easiest to beat” in the welterweight division. Maia currently stands at No. 5 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA welterweight rankings, while Kim sits at No. 9.

Maybe if he keeps it up, and keeps winning impressively, he can convince both the promotion and his onetime opponent that it’s a good idea to do the rematch.

“I know he’s waiting for his title shot,” Kim said. “I want to ask him to fight me, make some cash, and go fight his title fight.”

Or if he has it his way, take the title fight from right under Maia’s nose.

For more on UFC 207, check out the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.