Setbacks tend to lead to self-examination—a truth to which former
Invicta Fighting Championships titleholder Jennifer
Maia can certainly relate.
The 34-year-old Maia stumbled out of the gate in 2022 with
back-to-back decision defeats to Katlyn
Chookagian and Manon
Fiorot in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s flyweight division, then
rebounded by outpointing Maryna
Moroz at UFC Fight Night 215 on Nov. 19. In hindsight, it all
worked together, from recalibration to redemption.
Advertisement
“Not much has changed regarding my training,” Maia told
Sherdog.com. “We’re still covering all areas. Nothing is skipped.
The biggest change was my mindset. I gained mental toughness
knowing that I’ve already faced the best in our weight class. The
two losses were part of my growth as an athlete. I went into my
last fight with a stronger mind. I was more focused on what was
necessary to walk away with a victory.”
Maia will carry a 5-5 promotional record into her UFC
286 showcase against the unbeaten Casey
O’Neill on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London. O’Neill, 25, has
won all four of her fights in the UFC, three of them finishes. She
last appeared at UFC 271, where she eked out a split decision over
Roxanne
Modafferi in February 2022.
“Casey is a complete athlete,” Maia said. “It’s hard to say how
things will play out. I’m training in every facet, so I can come
out on top no matter where we go.”
A hostile crowd figures to await Maia. O’Neill was born in Irvine,
Scotland, some 400 miles northwest of London and expects to have a
majority of the support from fans. Such variables matter little to
Maia.
“I don’t care much if I’m the favorite or not,” she said. “When I
last fought, I wasn’t the favorite and still won. It doesn’t matter
much. Since most of my fights are on my opponents’ home turf, that
doesn’t make much of a difference. What matters is that I train
well and always treat my next fight as the most important.”
Maia continues to try to balance her pursuits inside the cage with
the pull she feels away from it. She has quite a few irons in the
fire.
“In my professional life, I wish to continue working my way up the
rankings, standing out and eventually capturing the so-desired
world title,” Maia said. “It’s something I very much want to
achieve. On a personal level, despite my many accomplishments, I
still wish to buy my mother a house. I also want to have a child
and start my own family.
“As I get older and if I choose to become pregnant, I plan to pause
my career,” she added. “I won’t quit fighting. I’ve seen many
athletes who’ve returned after giving birth. The hunger to fight
won’t leave me. Let’s see how my career plays out this year.”