What Is Maia’s Pre-Retirement Goal?

With the UFC since 2007, Demian Maia’s career has been through some ups and downs. As to when the passion will run out for the 42-year-old, Maia is keeping an eye on father time.

Speaking with Canal Encarada, Maia (28-10) stated that he is close to being finished with his career.

“My desire is to maybe do this next fight and one more,” Maia stated, via MMA Fighting. “But if (my next) is the last one, no problem at all. I’m really okay with it. I think I’ve fulfilled my role and I’m happy with what I’ve done all these years.”

After beating Ryan Jensen at UFC 77, Maia has gone on extended streaks over the years. The one thing that has eluded him has been UFC gold. There is something he believes he can grab, however, and that’s a record.

Maia is interested in becoming the winningest fighter in UFC history. At 22 wins (first six wins of his career came outside the UFC), Maia is ranked second. Number one on the leaderboard? Donald Cerrone, the iron man, with 23 wins. Maia would have accomplished that goal of tying Cerrone if he didn’t have his three-fight win streak snapped by Gilbert Burns this past March. Now, he wants a chance to get the job done, something that would help him reconsider retiring.

“Maybe become the fighter with most wins,” Maia went on to say. “I’m one win behind Cerrone, so I know that I’ll tie him if I win one more, but if I win two I can surpass him. That would be something that makes me think about this possibility.”

Cerrone (36-14, 1NC) is currently scheduled to fight Anthony Pettis at UFC 249 on March 9 in an undisclosed location. If the fight was to happen and Cerrone was to win, Maia will have a tough journey to get what he wants. He will continue to hope for his opportunity, however, as anything can happen in MMA.