Demian Maia Wants to Be Ringside at UFC 205 For Woodley vs. Thompson

Demian Maia spoke with MMAjunkie about the fight between Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson at UFC 205 and more. You can see video and highlights below:

On if he’ll be at ringside to challenge the winner at UFC 205: “If UFC gives me the opportunity to be ringside, I will be there. Even if I need to get a boat and paddle to New York, I will do (it). I’m ready to go. My manager and I, we let them know I’m ready to go to New York to watch because it’s very important for me to watch that fight.”

On getting passed over for Thompson: “I knew that could happen because Thompson, he came from a seven-win streak. His last two fights were against very good fighters (in Rory MacDonald and Johny Hendricks). He also deserves it. I just hope after they fight – Thompson and Woodley – I get the winner.”

On getting the title shot: “I’m almost sure I will get the winner, and that’s the way it will be because there is – I don’t see nobody getting the title before me. I think Georges, he is looking for big fights like Conor (McGregor), and these fights to make a lot of promotion, a lot of money. I think he’s thinking more about that because he already got everything he could get as the sport side of mixed martial arts.”

On who he’d rather fight: “It doesn’t matter. Sometimes you think that one guy will be easier, and it turns out that it’s harder than you thought. Of course, they are fighting for the title. Both are great and just very different style. Whoever comes (out with the win), I will train differently for each one. I would give advantage to Thompson, a little bit of an advantage to him. It doesn’t matter that it’s better or worse than Woodley. Both are great, but I think his style – the same that Rory (MacDonald) did to Woodley – Thompson is a guy who can do the same. But of course Woodley has the big hands, and it can always play a role.”