UFC on ESPN: Anthony Rocco Martin talks about facing Demian Maia, playing card games, and more (Exclusive)

At UFC on ESPN, Demian Maia will be taking on Anthony Rocco Martin in a fight on the main card. On a four-fight winning streak, Anthony Rocco Martin was able to win each fight in his last two years.

In his second fight of 2019, a win against Demian Maia would give Rocco Martin a huge fight

Tune in to UFC ESPN 3 Live on the 30th of June, at 6:30 AM on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD.

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Anthony Rocco Martin

Q. What does it feel like to be facing a legend of the Octagon like Demian Maia?

ARM: I think it just means that my career has gone in the right direction. I am obviously winning fights, and I think Demian Maia is a legend of the sport as you said. He is one of the best grapplers in MMA. He is also a gatekeeper of a UFC title shot.

Q. Your form has been incredible of late, with 4 back-to-back wins. Do you think a win here will push you closer to a title shot?

ARM: I truly think a win over Demian Maia puts me one or two fights away from a title shot. I think that Demian has shown that when he fought for the title, he fought Colby Covington, who then fought for the title. He then fought Kamaru Usman, who fought him before he fought for the title. So, it's like if you beat Demian Maia, you are on a title shot trajectory. That's exactly what I am looking for.

Q. What has training been like ahead of the fight?

ARM: Training's been great down at American Top Team at Coconut Creek. We have just been grinding, and we have some of the best training partners in the world, and the best coaches. This is going to be an exciting fight.

Q. As someone who enters the Octagon regularly, what is some advice you can give young fighters working to get into the sport?

ARM: I think cutting weight is a bit overrated. Not rushing your career and trying to get into a big promotion right away is beneficial in the long term.

Q. What are some of your hobbies other than fighting?

ARM: I play a lot of games. I play a lot of card games, UNO, Rummy, Monopoly, Cribbage; I play Spades, Hearts -- whatever you wanna play, I play.