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Demian Maia Turns Down HUGE Money Fight Against GSP Because He Only Cares About Being Champ

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The UFC hypothetically offered Maia a boatload of cash to fight GSP, but Demian is so close to a title shot that he turned it down. 




This is very refreshing in an era where everybody’s looking for the biggesy payday (Not that you can blame them), but Maia really just wants a shot at that belt.

We’ve got champs fighting guys who aren’t in the top 10 when there’s a murderer’s row of contenders, we’ve got other champs calling out people who haven’t fought in years, we’ve got champs taking 3 fights in other weightclasses before even defending their belts once… Demian Maia turning down a boatload of cash to fight GSP is a nice change of pace, and the hallmark of a true martial artist. Again, that’s not to take anything away from the fighters who are trying to get themselves paid while they have the opportunity…

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In mixed martial arts, and most sports, you have a very small window to make your money and then get out. Years ago, there wasn’t as much money to be made, but these days there are fighters clearing millions a year (Granted, that’s a very small fraction of the roster), but everybody wants that “red panty night” and you can’t blame them.

Ultimately, if you want to pass any blame, you can blame the UFC for making the fights, or the fans for watching, but you can’t really blame the fighters who are trying to secure a future for themselves and their loved ones.

Anyways, Maia has been around the block a few times, and in the era of USADA he’s really making some moves. He’s barely been hit in his last few fights, and his ground game is on an entirely other level. GSP’s use of his jab and distance might be enough to keep Maia at bay. GSP is one of the best at neutralizing and smothering his opponents on the ground, but how would that fare against Maia, who has arguably the best ground game in MMA? It would be a good welcome-back fight for GSP, but Maia wants to keep his spot in line so he can bring another belt to Brazil.

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“I’m always just focused on the belt,” Maia said. I don’t care [about superfights], they asked me if they were to offer a lot of money to fight GSP [would I take it], but I don’t care about the money. I want to fight for the title.

“You have a mission in life to educate people. I believe that I have mission bring Jiu Jitsu to a bigger audience. That’s my mission because Jiu Jitsu really changes people’s lives and I want to bring more and more people. So, I’m not in this sport for the money.

“When I started as a kid there was no money involved. We started martial arts because we loved it and we didn’t care about the money. We’re professional and we need to be that, but my main reason is not the money. My main reason [for fighting] is to get the belt and that’s what I want to do.”

Now there’s a man who is dedicated to his craft.


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