Jon Fitch is set to lock horns with BJJ specialist Demian Maia at the UFC’s Superbowl show on February 2nd, AKA UFC 156.
Fitch had been on a short-list of potential opponents that Maia had hoped to face in his next fight after making a successful 2-0 start to his move down to the welterweight division against Dong Hyun Kim and Rick Story so far this year.
It was an interesting call-out from Maia considering that few fighters are keen to do battle with Fitch who’s grinding style has lead to just two defeats in 17 fights inside the Octagon, including a win over the highly touted Brazilian Erick Silva in his last outing.
Maia clearly has faith in his world-class jiu-jitsu skills though and that should make this an intriguing and technical fight if it hits the mat.
I mentioned earlier in the week that it was unlikely that UFC 156’s main card line-up was going to stay intact given how stacked it’s ended up being, and it appears I was correct as a fight between Dan Henderson and Lyoto Machida now appears set to be shunted further back in the UFC’s 2013 schedule.
However Fitch Vs Maia is still a strong replacement and when combined with a headline featherweight title fight between Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar, plus Alistair Overeem Vs Antonio Silva and Rashad Evans Vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira this still has the makings of a terrific fight card.
