DAMIAN MAIA REPLACES BELFORT, GETS TITLE SHOT

The line of UFC middleweight fighters trying to get to Anderson Silva has gotten shuffled once again.  As reported yesterday, Vitor Belfort, who had technically jumped the line anyway, will miss his scheduled Octagon meeting with Silva this April in Abu Dhabi due to injury.

Many thought Chael Sonnen would be the man to step in to replace the injured Belfort.  Sonnen just earned the next spot in line for a title shot behind Belfort by defeating taking that position away from Nate Marquardt at UFC 109.  While Sonnen proved to be a serious threat at middleweight by dominating his way to a unanimous decision victory over Marquardt, he also suffered a laceration on his forehead during the bout that has him now suspended and out of consideration.  

Maia, who has an Octagon victory over Sonnen, has definitely been in the mix of middleweights vying for the title for some time.  He was on the fast track to a title shot, submitting all 5 of his first UFC opponents.  It just so happens that Nate Marquardt was the man to stop the Maia hype train, knocking him out with an overhand right and handing Maia his first ever MMA loss.  Demian is coming off of yet another victory at UFC 109, defeating Dan Miller by unanimous decision.

"My last loss was very frustrating for me because I was almost there. Let's see what will happen. I don't want to make plans, I just want to fight," said Maia after this last victory. "I want to fight for the title. I know it will come one day. I know I will have this title one day."

Now that Nate and Chael have removed each other from the immediate picture, Maia is the man of the hour.  

Tonight Maia announced the bout on his Twitter account, saying, “A dream of a lifetime, in one night. @UFC 112.” 

By Lee Cox