Demian Maia to Fight Ben Askren at UFC Singapore in October

Demian Maia has lined up his next opponent…

The 41-year-old Brazilian former submission grappler and current mixed martial artist will fight Ben Askren  in the main event of UFC Singapore on October 26, according to ESPN.

Demian Maia

Askren tweeted earlier this week that the fight was a done deal.

Maia’s background is in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and he’s one of the best ever to utilize that martial art in MMA. He’s a former Abu Dhabi Combat Club grappling champion and International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Pan Americantitleholder.

Askren is a former Olympicwrestler and two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion at Missouri. 

Both Askren and Maia are known for their phenomenal ground games.

Maia (27-9) has won two in a row and nine of his past 12. He’s coming off a majority decision win over Anthony Rocco Martin at UFC Minneapolis in June. Maia is a former UFC welterweight and middleweight title challenger with wins over the likes of Masvidal, Carlos Condit and Chael Sonnen.

Askren (19-1, 1 NC) was undefeated in MMA until he was knocked out in five seconds by Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239last month. He’s a former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion.

Askren was acquired by the UFCvia trade with ONE Championship for Demetrious Johnson last year and quickly made a name for himself with his quick-witted trash talk.