UFC Chile: Demian Maia could retire once current UFC contract expires - ‘My career is coming to an end’

While one mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran is gearing up for a comeback, another is winding his combat career down. Longtime Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Demian Maia recently revealed that once his current deal runs out, it could mark the end of his fighting career.

Speaking to Combate (via Bloody Elbow), the submission expert revealed that he has four fights remaining on his current contract -- which he recently negotiated -- but once he fulfills his obligations to UFC, it could be adios.

“We did renegotiate a new contract. I had one pending fight on my last contract, but we renegotiated and now I have four more left. My career is coming to an end, I’m already looking at retirement. I want to perform in the best possible, in these four fights. I’m not sure if I’ll stop after that, but there’s a big chance. I want to give my best and then I’ll see what happens next.”

Maia has been fighting professionally since 2001, and made his UFC debut way back in 2007, racking up a 19-8 record mark. Maia has competed for a UFC world title on two separate occasions, losing to former Middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 112 in 2010. At UFC 214, Demian came up short once again, this time against current Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.

The jiu-jitsu ace will look to break his current two-fight skid when he faces off against Kamaru Usman at this weekend’s (Sat., May 19, 2018) UFC Fight Night 129 event in Santiago, Chile.