DALLAS — By all accounts, Demian Maia should already be fighting for the UFC welterweight title.
The veteran submission specialist has won six fights in a row including a lopsided victory over Gunnar Nelson as well as tapping out former interim champion Carlos Condit as well as Matt Brown in recent performances.
Still, Maia hasn’t earned his shot at the gold and instead he’s facing a very tough opponent this weekend at UFC 211 when he takes on Jorge Masvidal in Dallas.
Admittedly, Maia was a little frustrated that he had to fight yet another top ranked welterweight rather than earning his title shot, but he couldn’t deviate his focus or risk Masvidal getting a win over him.