For the former #1 middleweight contender, fighting under the Ultimate Fighting Championship banner is something Brazilian Demian Maia (13-2) takes very seriously.
There are some who do turn to the party lifestyle of making it into the big leagues of mixed martial arts, but for Maia, he understands that fighting for the UFC is a “dream for many” and he isn’t ready to risk losing that opportunity.
“I’m very diligent and serious in what I do, and I know that I have the privilege of being in an event that a lot of fighters would like to be in. The UFC is a dream for many, and once I got there, I was appreciative of the chance. I do what I love and I don’t play with my job. I try to be surrounded by good trainers, and I put my heart into every single minute of my job. We fight for the fans, so I fight to please them. That’s it.”
Maia will meet Kendal Grove (12-7) at this weekends “TUF 12 Finale” on the Spike TV televised main card. The Brazilian has worked on his boxing a lot, even going to Cuba to work with trainers there. Maia has also prepared his ground game for Grove, who stands six inches taller than himself, by working with fighters of that height.
Check out the entire article at UFC.com.