Home / News / Former No. 1 Contender Demian Maia to drop down to Welterweight

Former No. 1 Contender Demian Maia to drop down to Welterweight

By on March 14, 2012

Following a January loss to top middleweight prospect Chris Weidman, Demian Maia is making a move to the UFC’s welterweight division.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace today announced his intentions via Twitter.

“Guys, now I’ll be moving down to 170 pounds,” Maia stated. “Next fight, I’ll be a welterweight.”

Maia made his octagon debut in October 2007 and promptly earned five-straight submission wins in the UFC, including four “Submission of the Night” bonuses. He’s since gone just 4-4, including an infamous decision loss to middleweight champ Anderson Silva in April 2010.

All 13 of Maia’s UFC appearances to date have come at middleweight. Where he holds notable victories over Jorge Santiago and Chael Sonnen.

In an interview with Brazilian website R7, Maia said in his native Portuguese that he has yet to make a test cut to 170 pounds, but he hopes to eliminate the size and strength advantage he currently yields to fellow 185-pound competitors.

Maia’s first fight at 170 pounds has yet to be scheduled.

Thanks to MMAJunkie

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