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Welterweight move on cards for struggling Maia

Demian Maia admits he struggles to keep his weight up arounds the levels required to compete at middleweight © Getty Images

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Demian Maia looks set to drop into the welterweight division after revealing he has a hard time staying big enough to challenge at middleweight.

Maia was a sensation when he first arrived in the UFC, winning Submission of the Night honours in four of his first five outings. One of those came against Chael Sonnen, the current No. 1 contender in the 185 division.

However, life has been more difficult for Maia of late, with wrestlers proving that - by keeping the fight standing - Maia is beatable on his feet. A 3-3 record from his last six fights has left the Brazilian searching for relevance in the middleweight ranks.

The answer looks set to be a drop to welter, which would arguably be a more natural weight class for the jiu-jitsu specialist. As Maia explains, he currently has to over-eat just to make sure he stays big enough at 185.

"It has not been decided yet, [but] I've always said it was a possibility," Maia told Tatame. "I usually have to make much effort to keep 198lbs and I have to eat a lot not to lose weight because it's easy for me.

"I'm getting healed from my hand [surgery], which is almost good. I'm taking a week off because it's been a while since I haven't taken some time to rest.

"Now that I'm not training and eating what I want I weigh 194lbs, more or less. When it's close to the fight I cut weight and leave the last 11 to 13lbs to lose at the very end."

Maia admits he hopes his next fight is in June, but it remains to be seen whether it will take place at middleweight or welter.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.