Demian Maia has been vocal in recent months about getting an opportunity at the UFC Welterweight Title, currently held by Tyron Woodley.
Maia has to wait a little longer as Woodley is defending the belt against Stephen Thompson at UFC 209, but either way, Maia believes things with the UFC are confusing at the moment.
"It’s hard to understand,” Maia said on The MMA Hour. "The game is changing and the UFC is… things are confusing right now, at least from my point of view. I’ve been working in the UFC for the last 10 years and I never see things like that. I am the No. 1 contender and nobody questions that. Three more weeks for the fight, it’s pretty close. I want to wait, no matter what. It’s hard to wait. Like, for me its much better to be active, to be fighting, because I’m an athlete and its always good to be active, but I know there’s a risk. I built my path here, I think I gotta be patient. With all my team, I will wait this three-and-a-half weeks that last for the fight. I can’t answer any more people in the street. When I go to the street, everybody asks when I’m gonna fight for the title, and I don't know what to say anymore."
Maia has previously challenged for the UFC Middleweight Title against then champion Anderson Silva, a fight that is arguably one of the worst fights in UFC history. Maia has been offered other fights by the UFC, but he is steadfast in getting a shot at the welterweight gold.
"I know why,” he said. "I think there’s two reasons. One, you know, they really don't care too much if I’m gonna fight for the title or not. But the main reason is they are having problems setting up fights. They cancelled a couple of events and they need names that can sell. And I know, even if they say I don't sell, I know I sell something. I’m a name that can be as a co-main event or a main event and people want to see.”
Maia hasn’t competed since UFC On Fox 21, where he defeated former UFC Interim Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit by first round submission.
