UFC Fight Night 29: Maia vs. Shields - Fight Card Updates

[keithlewis]

UFC Fight Night 29: Maia vs. Shields Officially Announced


The city of Barueri welcomes its first Ultimate Fighting Championship event on Wednesday, October 9, with UFC FIGHT NIGHT no COMBATE: MAIA vs. SHIELDS. The main card is set to start at 8 p.m., with the first bout scheduled to begin at 4.30 p.m. Doors will be open to the public at 3:30 pm. The event will air live on FOX Sports 1 in the US.

In the main event of the evening, No.4 ranked welterweight contender and former challenger to the middleweight title Demian Maia (18-4-0 in mixed martial arts), takes on former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields (28-6-1, 1NC). Undefeated in the 170 lbs. division, Maia will fight in his home state for the first time since joining the UFC.

“I am very happy and proud to be the main event,” said Maia. “I’ve always wanted to fight for the UFC in São Paulo, were I was born and raised. I have a special connection with the Jose Correa arena in Barueri, where I had my first major MMA milestone in 2006. My big goal is to get a title shot and become world champion. I know Jake Shields is a great opponent, with wins over names such as Dan Henderson and Carlos Condit, and beating him is sure to get me within title contention.”

“The Brazilian audience is intimidating and enthusiastic, and it makes for an excellent atmosphere,” said Jake Shields. “But once I get in the Octagon, I’ll be focused and ready. Fighting Demian on his home turf will not be an issue. His strengths are obvious: he’s the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu martial artist in my division. His weakness is his standup. I want to beat him at what he’s best at.”

In the co-main event of the evening, welterweight prospect Erick Silva (15-3, 1NC) looks for his fourth UFC win, against south-Korean Dong Hyun Kim (17-2-1, 1NC). Coming off an impressive win that earned him Sub of the Night honors in Fortaleza, Silva looks to establish himself as one of the top prospects in the division against the dangerous judo black belt.

“The UFC is happy to bring yet another great card, with top Brazilian and international talent, to its sixth Brazilian city,² said Marshall Zelaznik, UFC Managing Director of International Development. In addition to São Paulo native Demian Maia, who is headlining against dangerous welterweight Jake Shields, we also have top Brazilians Erick Silva, Thiago Silva and Rony Jason, who are known to put on exciting fights. It is sure to be another unforgettable night for UFC fans in the Jose Correa arena.”

“It’s a major accomplishment for our city to be able to host such a grand event, and an opportunity to have tens of countries with their eyes on Barueri. We’re doing everything we can to make UFC FIGHT NIGHT no COMBATE: MAIA vs. SHIELDS a great sporting event for this city,” said Paulo Sérgio Nascimento, Barueri’s Secretary of Sports.

Also on the main card, featherweight winner of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter® Brasil Rony Jason (14-3-0) looks for his third consecutive win since joining the UFC, against Jeremy Stephens (21-9-0). Brazilian fighter Thiago Silva (15-3-0, 2NC) seeks his second win on national soil, against Matt “The Hammer” Hamill (12-4-0). Both looking for their 5th consecutive wins, top 10 ranked bantamweights Raphael Assuncao (19-4) and TJ Dillashaw (9-1) square off on the main card. Boxing expert Fábio Maldonado (19-6) faces heavy-handed Joey Beltran (14-8, 1 NC) in the light heavyweight division, while Hacran Dias (21-2-1) looks to recover from his first UFC loss, against The Ultimate Fighter Brasil 1 standout Rodrigo Damm (11-6-0). In search of his first UFC win, flyweight Iliarde Santos (27-8-1, 1NC) goes up against Chris Cariaso (14-5).

Fight Card:

Welterweight – Five rounds: Demian Maia vs. Jake Shields
Welterweight: Erick Silva vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Featherweight: Rony Jason vs. Jeremy Stephens
Light heavyweight: Thiago Silva vs. Matt Hamill
Light heavyweight: Fábio Maldonado vs. Joey Beltran
Bantamweight: Raphael Assunção vs. TJ Dillashaw
Featherweight: Hacran Dias vs. Rodrigo Damm
Flyweight: Iliarde Santos vs. Chris Cariaso

[broncofan]

Brazilian outlet Combate first reported that UFC officials have booked Ildemar Alcantara (19-5 MMA, 2-0 UFC) vs. Igor Araujo (23-6 MMA, 0-0 UFC) and Alan Patrick (10-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) vs. Garett Whiteley (5-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC). MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has since verified that verbal agreements are in place and bout agreements are expected to be finalized shortly.

http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/08/u ... s-whiteley

[keithlewis]

UFC Fight Night 29: Maia vs. Shields
October 9, 2013
Jose Correa Gymnasium
Barueri, São Paulo, Brazil


Main Card (Fox Sports 1):

Demian Maia (18-4) vs. Jake Shields (28-6-1, 1 NC)
Erick Silva (15-3, 1 NC) vs. Dong Hyun Kim (17-2-1, 1 NC)
Thiago Silva (15-3, 2 NC) vs. Matt Hamill (10-4)
Fabio Maldonado (19-6) vs. Joey Beltran (14-8, 1 NC)
Raphael Assunção (20-4) vs. TJ Dillashaw (8-1)
Rousimar Palhares (14-5) vs. Mike Pierce (17-5)


Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1):

Hacran Dias (21-2-1) vs. Rodrigo Damm (11-6)
Ildemar Alcantara (19-5) vs. Igor Araujo (23-6)
Yan Cabral (10-0) vs. David Mitchell (12-3)


Preliminary Card (Facebook):

Iliarde Santos (27-8-1, 1 NC) vs. Chris Cariaso (14-5)
Alan Patrick (10-0) vs. Garett Whiteley (5-0)

[keithlewis]

Hacran Dias vs. Rodrigo Damm had been scheduled to headline the UFC Fight Night 29 preliminary bouts on Wednesday’s fight card in Brazil. Damm suffered some unforeseen medical issues that forced the bout to be scrapped. According to Damm, doctors declined to clear him to fight due to some concern about his kidneys. UFC Fight Night 29 moves forward on Wednesday at the Jose Correa Gymnasium in Barueri, São Paulo, Brazil, with 10 bouts on the card.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/hacran-dias-vs ... y-concerns