The Ultimate Fighting Championship has officially confirmed Demian Maia vs. Alan "The Talent" Belcher as the main event for UFC Fight Night 22 on Sept. 15 at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center on the campus of The University of Texas in Austin, Texas.
After losing a hard-fought title bout against UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva at UFC 112 in April Maia now urgently needs a win against Belcher to get back in contender status. It certainly won't be easy for Maia though as Belcher has been on the winning trail while earning Submission of the Night honors at UFC 113 for his beautiful rear-naked choke on Patrick Cote.
Belcher clearly brings more momentum into the bout and has also shown evidence of his evolving fight game with his last couple of wins. Maia will have to dig deep to not only overcome the psychological aftermath of his fairly recent loss to Silva, but also to face a new challenge against an ever-evolving fighter who has been able to finish most of his fights in the first two rounds. There is not doubt that neither Maia nor Belcher will leave the outcome of this bout in the hands of the judges.
In the co-main event the winner of The Ultimate Fighter season six, Mac Danzig, will take on Matt Wiman again to settle the score after his controversial submission-loss to him at UFC 115. Wiman earned the win when told the referee that Danzig was passed out while he had him locked into a guillotine choke although Danzig stated he was still conscious and not ready to tap out.
Also confirmed for the UFC Fight Night 22 card:
- Lightweight: Cole Miller (16-4) vs. Ross Pearson (13-3)
- Lightweight: Jim Miller (17-2) vs. Gleison Tibau (31-6)
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