The former contender for the UFC title in the middleweight and welterweight divisions, Demian Maia, is no longer part of the leading MMA promotion on the planet – the UFC. At the same time, along with the Brazilian veteran, another rating fighter Jimmie Rivera, who occupied the 13th place in the lightest weight rating, left the organization’s roster.
This news was reported by MMA Junkie journalist John Morgan:
“It was brought to my attention that both Demian Maia and Jimmie Rivera have been removed from the UFC’s online roster. Spoke to a UFC official who confirmed that “both have fought out their deals” at this time and are not currently under contract.”
Demian Maia (28-11) ends his UFC run on consecutive losses to Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns (watch highlights), but defeated Ben Askren, Anthony Rocco Martin and Lyman Good in the three fights before that. He unsuccessfully challenged Anderson Silva for UFC’s Middleweight title at UFC 112 in April 2010, and UFC Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley at UFC 214 in July 2017. The grappling ace holds victories over big stars like Jorge Masvidal, Carlos Condit, Matt Brown and Chael Sonnen, among others.