GLENDALE, Ariz. – Demian Maia may have competed in his final UFC fight.
After Maia (28-11 MMA, 22-11 UFC) lost to Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision on the UFC 263 main card Saturday, promotion president Dana White opened up on the longtime contender’s fighting future, which will likely be somewhere else.
“I think that was his last fight (with the UFC),” White told MMA Junkie at a post-fight news conference. “It was the last fight on his deal. He’s 44 years old. He’s been so good at getting in there, securing the takedown, getting on top of people, and just strangling them or grabbing something or twisting it until you quit. He couldn’t get it done tonight. He’s 44 years old. He’s a great guy. He’s had a great career. Yes, I would say that’s probably it.”
Maia, 43, turns 44 in November. The loss to Muhammad marks the first time he’s had back-to-back losses since 2018. One of the longest-tenured members of the promotion’s roster, Maia has competed under the banner since UFC 77 in October 2007.
Over the past 14 years, Maia competed 33 times for the UFC with wins against Chael Sonnen, Jorge Masvidal, Carlos Condit and Neil Magny, among others. He competed for UFC gold twice – once at middleweight vs. Anderson Silva and once at welterweight vs. Tyron Woodley. He lost both title challenges by unanimous decision.
UFC 263 took place Saturday at Gila River Arena. The main card streamed on pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.
Dana White on Demian Maia after UFC 263: ‘I think that was his last fight’
