Damien Maia Didn’t Consider Waiting For a Title Shot

Damien Maia spoke with MMAjunkie about his fight with Carlos Condit at UFC on FOX 21. Some highlights are below:

On a possible title shot if he wins: “I used to think about that when I was 33, 34 – you realize it’s just something in your mind. It doesn’t matter. I’m doing my best every day in training. I’m feeling well every day. If I’m able to do I will get the title, I will be the champion. If not I’m very happy with everything I accomplished in my life and very grateful for everything I did and to put jiu-jitsu on such a higher level in the UFC. I’m very thankful for that.”

On whether he thought about sitting out to wait for his shot at the title: “I think (sitting out is) too risky. I like to keep my rating, to keep fighting. I think that’s important for an athlete. It’s too risky, what Tyron did. He did well, but it couldn’t go well. I didn’t want to take his approach. Maybe after this fight…I can’t be frustrated about that, especially now because I have a fight coming up in a couple days. I think it will be either Thompson or I. I hope it will be me, but if not, I hope they at least do very fast this fight with Thompson because we both are just waiting and we can fight after that. But first of all, I must win this Saturday, and it’s not an easy task. It might be the toughest test in the welterweight division for me.”

On his mindset going into the bout: “When I get there Saturday night, all my focus will be (is) win. It will be: Do the game plan that we trained during the camp. The submission is a consequence. Of course that would be perfect, but my main focus is to go there, put my game plan and win the fight. I know if I don’t win I don’t have the chance (to fight for a title) after that.”