Nick Maximov on co-main spotlight in 2nd UFC fight: Being around Diaz brothers prepared me for this

LAS VEGAS – Nick Maximov is in prime position to make a name for himself in just his second octagon appearance.

Maximov, who fights out of the Nick Diaz Academy in Stockton, Calif., is set to meet Punahele Soriano in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 200 on Saturday at the UFC Apex. It’s barely been four months since Maximov defeated Cody Brundage by unanimous decision in his promotional debut on the early prelims of UFC 266, but now he’s a co-headliner.

It’s good for undefeated Maximov that he feels prepared for the moment having spent so much time with Nick and Nate Diaz, who are no strangers to the spotlight.

“That’s surreal. I was like, ‘Damn, I didn’t even know I was on the main card, let alone the co-main event.’ But I mean, it’s everything we train for,” Maximov said during Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 200 media day. “Being with Nate and Nick a lot kind of prepared me to be in a situation like this, so I’m excited for it. I feel really well prepared. I don’t really have these crazy nerves. I just feel more excited and thankful for the opportunity.”

Maximov (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) faces a tough out in Soriano (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who will look to rebound from his first loss. Prior to dropping a decision against Brendan Allen, Soriano won eight consecutive fights with seven finishes.

Difficult as the fight could be, Maximov isn’t necessarily focused on the end result.

“I don’t even think about it like winning or losing,” Maximov said. “If I could just put out a great performance and make everyone proud and all that, I think that’s the biggest thing. Winners don’t focus on winning all the time. They focus on being the best of themselves and what they can do and being their best, for me, Saturday night. That’s kind of what I focus on. I’m grateful to be here. All my buddies back home are all doing the same thing. You get caught in a little trap, so it’s cool to break away from that and do my thing, showcase everything.”