According to a report by Brazil’s Combate, UFC Fight Night 119 in Sao Paulo, Brazil later this year will mark the return of Demian Maia. Following the report by Combate, MMA Fighting confirmed the news, which will see BJJ ace Maia back in action for the first time since his title fight to Tyron Woodley at UFC 214 in July.
For Covington (12-1), facing Maia at UFC Sao Paulo will be a big step up in competition. Despite winning four straight, Covington had flown mostly under the radar in his UFC career to date, at least until defeating “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim in June. Covington’s lone career loss came to Warlley Alves at UFC 194.
Demian Maia (25–7), meanwhile, had been on a seven fight win streak prior to his loss to Woodley, a bout in which every single one of his takedown attempts was stuffed. During that seven fight streak, the Brazilian defeated the likes of Jorge Masvidal, Carlos Condit, Matt Brown, Gunnar Nelson and others.
UFC Sao Paulo, or UFC Fight Night 119 numerically, takes place at the at the Ibirapuera gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil on October 28. Lyoto Machida meets Derek Brunson in the main event, while Glover Teixeira vs. Misha Cirkunov has also been added to the card.
