Demian Maia entered the year on a three-fight losing streak, listening to people question whether his days as a competitive fighter in the talent-rich welterweight division were done.
It didn’t matter that those three losses came against Tyron Woodley in a championship fight at UFC 214 or the two men set to battle for the welterweight title at the end of the year, current champ Kamaru Usman and No. 1 contender Colby Covington. Three straight ticks in the loss column combined with being 41 years old was all the reasoning many fans and observers needed to declare the Brazilian veteran as good as done and suggest he move on to the next stage of his life.