Demian Maia returns after lengthy layoff, meets Belal Muhammad at UFC 263 in June
Former two-division title contender, Demian Maia, returns to the UFC octagon at UFC 263 on June 12. ESPN was first to report the news, followed by confirmation from MMA Fighting.
The Brazilian submission artist will face Belal Muhammad at a venue yet to be determined according to the report.
Maia has competed in two UFC title fights, losing against Anderson Silva for the UFC Middleweight Championship in 2010 and losing against Tyron Woodley for the UFC Welterweight Championship in 2017.
His last appearance inside the octagon came more than a year ago when he suffered a loss at the hands of Gilbert “Durinho” Burns at UFC on ESPN+ 28.
Muhammad is looking to continue the momentum he had going into his recent UFC Fight Night headlining bout against Leon Edwards which was unfortunately ruled a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke in March. Prior to that outing Muhammad was on a four-fight win streak.
In an Instagram post, Muhammad wrote about the upcoming Maia fight, stating: “Onward and upward Next ones the best one Muhammad vs Maia June 12
#inshallah #onamission #legend”
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UFC 263 card thus far:
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno – 125 lbs
Demian Maia vs. Belal Muhammad – 170 lbs
Hakeem Dawodu vs. Movsar Evloev – 145 lbs
Paul Craig vs. Jamahal Hill – 205 lbs
Lauren Murphy vs. Joanne Calderwood – 125 lbs
Carlos Felipe vs. Jake Collier – 265 lbs
Fares Ziam vs. Luigi Vendramini – 155 lbs
Karol Rosa vs. Sijara Eubanks – 135 lbs
