Demian Maia, arguably the best grappler in the UFC today, has done a bit of everything in his esteemed career. His elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills have helped him submit some of MMA's most feared fighters, and he has competed for a title belt on multiple occasions.
Maia, 41, will make his 29th walk out to the Octagon on Saturday when he squares off with Lyman Good in Fortaleza, Brazil. It's a crucial bout, as he has lost his past three. Ahead of the tough matchup, Maia, from Sao Paulo, spoke with ESPN about his long career in both MMA and jiu-jitsu and what the future could hold. Here it is, in his own words.