With the recent loss of Alan Belcher from the main event from Septembers UFC Fight Night 22 due to a detached retina, the promotion looked to find a replacement fighter to face Demian Maia, or a replacement bout to take their spot.
The UFC has decided to replace the match completely with a middleweight match between Nate Marquardt (29-9-2) vs. Rousimar Palhares (11-2). This bout had been scheduled for the main card of UFC 118 but will now headline the UFN 22 event. Maia has been removed from the event and no word was given as to who or when he’ll fight next.
UFC Fight Night 22 is set to take place on Sept. 15 at The Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Tex. with the main card being broadcast on Spike TV.
MMAjunkie.com reported the news on Monday and the UFC made the change official today.
Nate “The Great” is coming off a loss to Chael Sonnen at UFC 109, dropping a unanimous decision to the top middleweight contender in a bout that saw both men earn the “Fight of the Night” honor. Before that loss, the fighter had won three straight bouts including a win over Demian Maia at UFC 102 last year.
Palahares is on a three fight win streak and was serving day suspension for failing to let go of a submission hold on Polish fighter Tomasz Drwal. In the fight, Palahares quickly secured a heel hook on Drwal forcing the tap but continued to crank the submission until referee Kevin Mulhall stepped in to stop the fight. The Brazilian said he didn’t feel the tap and was waiting for the ref to end the match.