Since losing back-to-back fights to Jake Shields and Rory MacDonald, Demian Maia hasn't exactly been given the biggest names to compete against.
While highly-talented, fighters such as Neil Magny, Gunnar Nelson, and Ryan LaFlare haven't been making headlines and dominating the rankings. That's why Maia seems to think Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was trying to use his name to build up-and-coming contenders.
A stepping stone, if you will.
After crushing UFC's alleged plans by winning four straight, Maia says he will be lobbying for a shot at the welterweight title should he get through the tough-as-nails Matt Brown at this weekend's (Sat.