Sergio Moraes eyeing fight with fellow grappling ace Demian Maia

Riding high on a slick submission victory over Ben Saunders, Brazilian jiu jitsu ace Sergio Moraes is now eyeing a fight with one of the greatest grapplers to ever compete in MMA: former UFC welterweight and middleweight title challenger Demian Maia.

Sergio Moraes first mentioned a potential fight with Demian Maia shortly after his submission of Ben Saunders. Speaking to MMA Fighting this week, he re-upped on this potential matchup.

”It’s different eras, we never fought, but who knows,” Sergio Moraes said of Demian Maia. “The UFC has already put two athletes from different eras on TUF, (Delson Heleno) ‘Pe de Chumbo’ and I, and ‘Pe de Chumbo’ tapped, and maybe we can fight Demian. It’s an honor to fight Demian, and I know we will go to the ground. If this fight with Demian gets booked, I’ll come to Sao Paulo to train with Fabio Gurgel so we can put on a beautiful grappling battle.

”It would be interesting, but all the respect with we’re talking about Demian. I’ve said this fight was possible, I’ve said that before, but it depended on how my fights went. All the respect to Demian, but if the UFC thinks it’s time, I’m ready, and I hope Demian is ready too.”

With his submission defeat of Ben Saunders, the BJJ blackbelt Sergio Moraes moved onto a two-fight win-streak, having also recently defeated Tim Means by split decision. His last loss occurred in September of 2017, when he was knocked out by top welterweight contender Kamaru Usman. Moraes is now a strong 14-3-1 overall.

Demian Maia, meanwhile, last fought in May, when he gave up a decision to Usman. With this defeat, Maia fell onto a three-fight losing streak, having also recently given up decisions to dangerous wrestling specialists in Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman. His last win occurred in May of 2017, when he defeated Jorge Masvidal by split decision. He’s 25-9 overall.

Does a fight between Demian Maia and Sergio Moraes interest you?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 10/2/2018.