Ben Askren and Demian Maia cordially agree to fight on October 26

Sometimes in mixed martial arts, there is trash talk, bad feelings and general ill wishes from one fighter to another.

For whatever reason, Ben Askren and Demian Maia have decided to skip all that, and last night had a nice, cordial chat about when they should fight.

Maia was taking part in a Q&A on his Twitter account, when he was asked who was the toughest grappler he’d faced inside the Octagon during his UFC career. In his answer, the Brazilian said he was unsure, but pointed at Askren as someone who could fit that bill should they ever compete.

Askren saw the tweet, and immediately threw out the date of October 26 (which is when the UFC returns to Singapore) as a potential meeting point.

That’s tough, so many different and good challenges. Maybe the biggest challenge is yet to come in @Benaskren if we do compete?

— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) August 3, 2019

I’m in Oct 26 Demian. Are you in also? https://t.co/9AKWgsOc8Q

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) August 3, 2019

If that’s good for the @ufc , and for you as well, I would be happy to compete with you on that date. It is a intriguing challenge and I’m up for it! As a grappler it’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. It’s truly up to them.

— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) August 3, 2019

I said yes weeks ago https://t.co/sSfVy3lpZK

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) August 3, 2019

That’s good to know! Thanks, if they make this fight it’s going to be very exciting and intriguing. I hope it happens, it is the kind of challenge that motivates me to compete.

— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) August 3, 2019

Should the contest take place, it would be a huge styles bout between a grinding wrestler and one of the greatest jiu-jitsu practitioners to ever fight in UFC gloves. It would also be the first time Ben Askren has fought since his stunning 5 second loss to Jorge Masvidal last month.

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