Maia (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Many people believe that if Stephen Thompson gets by Rory MacDonald on June 18th, the vaunted striker will be tapped for a welterweight title fight. Following his most recent victory, however, Demian Maia is making the case for why it should be him.

Maia is coming off a one sided, submission win over fellow contender Matt Brown at UFC 198, which extended the jiu-jtsu titan’s winning streak to five. Recently Maia spoke with MMA Junkie.com, and while discussing his title shot run, and Thompson, the Brazilian stated:

“At this point, it’s so abstract I don’t really want to speculate too much,” Maia said. “I know if Thompson wins, he’s a possibility. I wouldn’t know about Rory, because he had his shot recently. Things change so much, so many switch-ups and injuries.

“I’d say I’m first in line. Thompson may have a bigger winning streak, but he lost to Brown, for instance. If you take my last eight fights, I fought numerous ranked guys. I’ve fought a lot of people and won.”

Thompson took out former champ Johny Hendricks in his last outing, and has won six straight bouts, since he was decisioned by Brown in 2012. Maia is currently ranked #4 at 170, and Thompson is #2.

The champion Lawler is scheduled to fight Tyron Woodley on July 30th, at UFC 201.