A previously reported fall bout between welterweights Jake Shields (28-6-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC) and Demian Maia (18-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) appears to have a date.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) passed along news of the potential bout this past month, though an exact date wasn’t available. However, according to MMAFighting.com, it’ll be part of a currently unannounced UFC Fight Night 29 event.
The show, expected to air on FOX Sports 1, is slated for Oct. 9, likely in Brazil.
Since a move down to welterweight, Maia, a former middleweight title challenger, has won three consecutive bouts. The Brazilian, who made the drop after a decision loss to now-champ Chris Weidman in early 2012, has defeated Dong Hyun Kim (TKO via injury), Rick Story (submission) and Jon Fitch (decision).
Maia was expected to fight Josh Koscheck earlier this month at UFC 163 but was forced off the card when his opponent suffered an injury.
Shields, meanwhile, looks to build on a recent split-decision victory over Tyron Woodley in June. If not for a failed drug test (due to an undisclosed substance) at UFC 150, he’d be a three on a three-fight win streak. Still, the former Strikeforce champion remains undefeated since back-to-back losses to UFC champ Georges St-Pierre and Jake Ellenberger in 2011.
For more on UFC Fight Night 29, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
(Pictured: Jake Shields)
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