Donald Cerrone calls out Demian Maia, wants fight at UFC 207

LOS ANGELES -- There are few things Donald Cerrone likes more than getting into lots of fights.

When Cerrone meets Kelvin Gastelum on Nov. 12 at UFC 205, it will mark the fourth straight year in which he's had precisely four fights per year.

But if the Jackson's MMA fighter has his way, he'll get a fifth fight in before 2016 is through.

Cerrone, who has won three straight fights since going up to welterweight and 11 out of 12 overall, wants a spot on the gigantic UFC 207 card on Dec. 30 in Las Vegas. And he has an opponent in mind, too.

"What I really want to do and what would make the most sense is Demian Maia," Cerrone said Wednesday. "See if Demian would be ready to fight on Dec. 30. That makes sense for sure. He's out there kicking ass, so that's who I want to fight."

Maia was last seen finishing Carlos Condit at UFC on FOX 21 and earning a performance of the night bonus in the process. That was Maia's sixth consecutive win.

The way Cerrone sees it, Maia, who doesn't yet have a next opponent lined up, would be his fastest path to a title shot.

"He's probably the guy to fight next for the title, right? He's out there crushing everybody. You see what he's doing to people, I like it. Bring it on."

Cerrone, of course, still has the considerable challenge of Gastelum ahead of him at UFC 205, which UFC president Dana White reminded him when Cerrone broached the subject of fighting at UFC 207.

"[White] says I'm crazy," Cerrone said. "he said ‘get through this one first and I'll talk, kid.'"