Maia (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Demian Maia has made it clear that he believes a win over Carlos Condit on Saturday should propel him into a title fight, but the vaunted grappler isn’t thinking about champion Tyron Woodley, or anyone else for that matter.

Maia and Condit will meet in the headliner of UFC on FOX 21 on Saturday, which will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Heading into the bout, Maia is riding a five fight winning streak, which includes win over welterweight contenders like Matt Brown, Gunnar Nelson and Neil Magny.

The Brazilian star has been campaigning for a title shot in recent weeks. But recently Maia had this to say, when asked how he matches up against Woodley, versus the former champ, Robbie Lawler (quote via UFC.com):

“I don`t really see any matchups as favorable, or as impossible,” Maia said. “They can be favorable or tougher in theory, but in the end I think you either make them favorable or super tough, depending on how you prepare, how hard you train, the strategy you put together, and if you are able to implement your game plan well on fight night or not. Everybody in the top 15 is very tough, and your opponent is always working hard as well, and preparing a game plan to beat you. I try to focus my energy on the task ahead, a fight at a time, and not lose focus on my next opponent. Right now I have a very tough fight ahead in Carlos Condit, and thinking about Woodley or anyone else before that, is useless and a trap.”

Condit, meanwhile, will be fighting for the first time since he dropped a split decision loss to Lawler in January.