Following UFC 153 victory, Demian Maia looking to fight Nick Diaz or Jon Fitch

With his impressive submission victory over Rick Story last weekend at UFC 153, Demian Maia regained a lot of credit for his return to his roots of BJJ. The finish not only garnered him a victory in his new weight class of Welterweight, but it immediately put all 170 lb. fighters in the UFC on notice that Maia could be a force to be reckoned with. Now, Maia comes out today with the statement that he is ready to take one of the division’s top-level fighters:

“I think Nick Diaz and Jon Fitch that opponents would surely have much name this division and I would climb fast. The others, I think they are marked with struggles, but these two guys are certainly very tough and they would have proved much I climb in the division. I think the two have much jiu-jitsu. Both with Nick as with Fitch. Both are good with that, just that I feel more focused on the Fitch’s wrestling than with his jiu-jitsu, and Nick is a guy more with boxing than jiu-jitsu.”  – via MMAMania.com

Fitch is another fighter that got back on the winning track at UFC 153 following a lengthy layoff after being knocked out in a mere twelve seconds by Johny Hendricks at last year’s UFC 141. His grinding style may match up interestingly with Maia’s talents. And who can forget Diaz, whom Dana White said would have to face a top-ranked Welterweight before he gains his much sought-after title shot. Diaz is set to return next February pending his reinstatement.

Maia obviously has much respect for the wrestling of Fitch and the boxing of Diaz, and a fight would either would mix up the top of the division quite nicely after the true titleholder is decided between Georges St. Pierre and Carlos Condit at UFC 154 next month. With Maia, Fitch, and Diaz all looking to get into the title mix, Welterweight continues to have quite the logjam towards the top. Who should Maia face in his next bout?

Photo: CombatLifestyle.com