Fabio Maldonado Steps in to Face Igor Pokrajac at UFC on Fuel 3

Fabio Maldonado will get back in action at UFC on Fuel 3 as he steps in on short notice to face Igor Pokrajac on the May 15 card.

UFC officials confirmed the fight on Tuesday.

A heavy hitter with a boxing background, Maldonado made an impressive debut with a TKO over British fighter James McSweeney, but fell short by close decision to Kyle Kingsbury in his next fight.

Maldonado was expected to return first in October of last year and then in January before injuries took him out of the bouts both times.

Now the Brazilian will try to stay healthy as he faces fellow striker, Igor Pokrajac, in a bout on the UFC on Fuel 3 card taking place on May 15 in Fairfax, Virginia.