Demian Maia Disagrees With UFC Brasilia Stoppage And Will Not Retire Now
UFC Title-challenger and 4th Degree BJJ black belt Demian Maia has announced publicly that he disagrees with the referee’s decision to stop his fight on the most recent UFC Brasilia card. Not just that, but the 42-year old fighter has also announced that he fully intends to carry on competing in at least one more fight, despite previously discussing retirement during 2020. The stoppage that Demian Maia was unhappy with came against fellow decorated grappler Gilbert Burns in the Co-Main Event of UFC Brasilia, when Burns landed a perfect hook to put Maia on the ground and the fight was called off shortly after.
According MMA Junkie’s report, the UFC Welterweight said the following during the UFC Brasilia post-fight interview:
“Unfortunately, the referee stopped it. I thought I could go a little bit more, but it is what it is, I feel I was OK. I felt I was OK. But you don’t know. The referee said that he thought I was out, and that’s OK – that’s the sport. I was feeling good. I was getting good in the jiu-jitsu positions, but he got me well with that hook.”
“I want to do one more, then probably retire. Tonight I was feeling pretty good. I feel I was getting my good positions, but respect. He defended well. He’s a great jiu-jitsu fighter, but he got me with the hook, and that happens. That happens in this sport with the small gloves, and that’s it. The referee didn’t help too much, but no excuse. He did well and he deserves (the victory).”
Even with the recent loss to Burns, Maia isn’t in much danger of falling sharply down the rankings as he was previously riding a three-fight winning streak coming into this event. The most recent of these wins came against yet another experienced grappler in Ben Askren, when Maia became the first fighter to secure the tap against him. Shortly afterward, Askren announced his decision to retire from the sport alltogether, citing the need for a full hip replacement.
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