UFC welterweight fighter Demian Maia says fighting in the UFC is like having a near-death experience three times a year.

Maia, who is ranked third in the world, says it's this which makes him love MMA fighting so much.

"You know people talk about a near-death experience which change your life, we have that every four months", the Brazilian told Mark Chapman on 5 live Sport.

"It's a blast for me to have this sort of intense experience three times a year."

This clip is from 5 live Sport on Wednesday 5 October 2016.