Striking the Right Balance

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.

“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.”