Demian Maia eyes GSP, Diaz brothers for grappling matches

Demian Maia has not ruled out competing again in either grappling or mixed martial arts, though a submission-only match appears likelier than another cage appearance.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu standout, who last fought in the UFC in June 2021 when Belal Muhammad outpointed him over three rounds, acknowledged to MMA Fighting that he never planned for that bout to serve as his exit. Now 48 and balancing gym ownership in Sao Paulo with commentary work for the UFC on Paramount+ and coaching duties for fighters including Ian Machado Garry and Charles Oliveira, Maia said he would still entertain a final octagon appearance under specific circumstances. "If it made sense and it was in a place like Rio de Janeiro or Las Vegas, where I've fought so many times and have so much history, I would definitely consider it," he said.

Interest in GSP and Diaz brothers for grappling bouts

Maia has competed three times in submission-only contests since leaving the UFC, tapping Alex Oliveira and Sang Wook Kim while decisioning Benson Henderson. He receives grappling offers regularly from multiple promotions but none have matched his criteria for pay and opponent appeal. "A really fun match would be against Nate or Nick Diaz, the Diaz brothers, because those guys bring a ton of hype," he told MMA Fighting. "They're both very good at jiu-jitsu and they'll attract a huge audience."

Georges St-Pierre also sits high on Maia's wish list. The former UFC welterweight champion retired in 2019 and trains under John Danaher, widely regarded among the sport's top grappling coaches. Maia called the Canadian "an incredibly tough competitor, an outstanding jiu-jitsu practitioner."

Hype approached Maia in March about facing Arman Tsarukyan in Rio de Janeiro on less than a week's notice while the Brazilian was abroad teaching seminars. Tsarukyan ended up submitting Muhammad Mokaev at that event. Maia described the Armenian's grappling as top-notch but suggested such a matchup "would've had to be for a lot of money because that guy is tough as hell."

Photo: Peter Gordon / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Demian Maia cites GSP, Diaz brothers as ideal opponents for grappling match, leaves door open for final MMA fight | MMA Fighting