The question on everyone's mind in the last 24 hours has been answered. Demian Maia has been tapped as Vitor Belfort's replacement for the UFC 112 middleweight title fight against Anderson Silva. MMAmania.com has more on the report:
Demian Maia Fills In For Injured Vitor Belfort, Gets Title Fight Against Anderson Silva At UFC 112
Demian Maia has been tapped as Vitor Belfort’s replacement for the UFC middleweight title fight against Anderson Silva at UFC 112 from the Concert Arena from Ferrari World, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on Saturday, April 10.
MMAmania.com (www.mmamania.com) confirmed the news with a source close to the situation earlier today.
Belfort’s shoulder injury that forced him to pull out of the title fight yesterday shook the MMA world to its core. Discussion as to who would step in to face Silva in the main event at UFC 112 immediately took center stage with names like Chael Sonnen, Thiago Silva, and even Randy Couture getting thrown into the mix.
But as UFC President Dana White announced last night, Silva would fight at middleweight instead of taking on a top light heavyweight.
And though Chael Sonnen earned number one contender status with his victory over Nate Marquardt at UFC 109, the cut he suffered during the fight will not heal in time for Sonnen to get his shot.
Instead, the man who submitted Sonnen at UFC 95, Demain Maia, gets the lucky break.
Maia was really one of the very few options the Zuffa brass had to choose from at this point. With number one contender Chael Sonnen unable to compete due to injury, coupled with the fact that Dana White previously stated that Silva would stay at middleweight for UFC 112, Maia seems to be the right choice.
Keep it locked to SB Nation for more news on UFC 112 as it breaks.
See More:
