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FORTALEZA, Brazil – Count UFC welterweight Lyman Good among those who’d like to see more sportsmanship in MMA.

“The sport needs to go back to its roots,” he told reporters at a media day for UFC on ESPN+ 2.

Good (20-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) longs for the days when opponents showed respect and trash talk didn’t lead matchmaking decisions. These days, it takes double the time for a fighter to build critical mass if he’s not good on the mic. But there are those who still do it the right way, including his upcoming opponent.

“I wish there were more people like him,” he told reporters at a media day for his bout Saturday with Demian Maia (25-9 MMA, 19-9 UFC) at Centro de Formacao Olimpica do Nordeste in Fortaleza, Brazil. “It’s about having respect, honor and loyalty. All the great things that made the sport great.

“I feel like we kind of moved away from that, and it’s more about trash talking. But I appreciate he’s that way, because I’m that way, as well. I always give respect to my opponents. Demian Maia is where he is for a reason. He’s been doing this for a long time, so I appreciate that he is that way.”

Good called it “surreal” to be fighting someone he holds in such high esteem. He’s still focused exclusively on taking home the win and not thinking into the future and insists he’s not bothered by fighting the Brazilian Maia on his home turf and expects to tune out the inevitable boos from the crowd.

As for the jiu-jitsu that’s made Maia one of the most dangerous opponents in the UFC, Good said he’ll just have to stick to his specialties in the cage.

“At the end of the day, it’s just who wants it the most,” he said.

Saturday’s card streams in its entirety on ESPN+. To hear more from Good, check out the video above.

For more on UFC on ESPN+ 2, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.