Demian Maia (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Following Diego Sanchez’s recent win over Mickey Gall, the rugged vet mentioned Demian Maia as one of the opponents he’d like to face, and the latter has responded.

Sanchez faced Gall at UFC 235, and proceeded to finish the younger fighter in round two. After the win, which was Sanchez’s second straight, he relayed he’d be interested in fighting Maia next. Since then, Maia told MMA Fighting the following.

”I have a lot of respect for Diego, he is a warrior, and like I said on my Twitter, you can never underestimate experience,” Maia said. “I really thought it was nice to see him go against the odds and get the win. It’s not easy to be competing at a high level for so long, it’s a tough game, and he deserves a lot of recognition. So, I would be honored to compete against him, after all the history we both have in the sport. Why not?”

Maia ended a three-fight losing skid in February, by submitting Lyman Good in the first round at UFC Fortaleza.