While some believe Anderson Silva has or is quickly running out of opposition in the UFC middleweight division (of course Chael ‘Let Me Tell You Something’ Sonnen vehemently disagrees), the promotion continues to churn out sweet match-ups at 185. Today the UFC confirmed that, as expected for some time, Demian Maia will take on Alan Belcher, September 15th, in Austin, Texas. Even better, you’ll be able to catch the fight for (somewhat) free, as the tilt will headline a UFC Fight Night card on Spike.
Now of course the fight will be Maia’s first since UFC 112 in April, when he dropped a Unanimous Decision loss to Silva, in a bout that many have tried desperately to erase from their memory (no; sniffing felt markers doesn’t work…). Belcher is coming off a slam-em-choke-em victory over Patrick Cote in May, to essentially extend his winning streak to 5 (we don’t have to agree with the official ruling that he lost by Split Decision to Yoshihiro Akiyama if we don’t want to).
So, there you have it. Another no-brainer, ‘what’s-the-game-plan?’ bout with a lot riding on the outcome for both dudes. In addition to the Maia / Belcher fight, the UFC has also announced that Mac Danzig will get an opportunity to right the ridiculous wrong he was handed at UFC 115, as he’ll face Matt Wiman again on September 15th. You likely recall that Wiman was awarded the technical submission win over Danzig last month, despite the fact that the former TUF winner was probably more conscious and aware of his surroundings than some of the people in attendance.