Don’t be fooled. Even though this could be Maia’s last fight in the UFC and has the respect of many across the world, including Muhammad, the 32-year-old isn’t going to go easy on him.
“There’s respect there, but I’m not going to sit there and walk up to him and shake his hand at the fight,” Muhammad said. “I know what I need to do to do this. I’m not one of those guys that needs to hate you to fight you, but we’re going to compete Saturday night and I’m definitely going to put these hands on him.”
His game plan to come out with a victory is simple.
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“I feel like it’s going to be a lot of on the feet,” Muhammad said. “He’s going to be shooting a lot and then by the end of the second you’re going to see him breaking and folding a little bit and that’s when I’m going in there for the kill.”
Taking home a win could bring him one step closer to get that rematch against Edwards.
“I feel like beating a guy like [Maia], with a big name on this big of a pay-per-view should give me a main event,” Muhammad said. “That’s something I want. I want another five-round fight. I think I’m owed another five-round fight.”