The UFC on Fox 21 event in Vancouver next month now has its main event, as the UFC announced on Tuesday that the Carlos Condit vs. Demian Maia bout, previously announced for UFC 202 in Las Vegas, has been shifted to that slot.
Condit returns to action for the first time since a close decision loss to UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler in January. That current “Fight of the Year” front-runner could have been his last bout, as he openly contemplated retirement if a rematch for the title wasn’t in the cards for him. Instead, he’s decided to come back for a fight that could set the winner up to be in line for a shot at that title.
Maia, a one-time title challenger in the UFC’s middleweight division, has emerged as a contender at welterweight at 38-years-old. The Brazilian grappling specialist has won five straight fights in the division, most recently submitting Matt Brown in May at UFC 196. He returns to his first main event fight since March of 2015.
Penick’s Analysis: In some ways it’s an unfortunate loss for the UFC 202 card (although that event is still very strong), but it’s fantastic that we’re getting five rounds for this fight itself. It’s well deserving of that, it’s important enough to justify that slot, and it’s huge to get for a Fox main event. This is a wonderful main event for the fans in Vancouver.
[Photo (c) Joshua Dahl via USA Today Sports]
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The last time he fought in Vancouver was pretty damn impressive. Here’s hoping the Maia fight is just as entertaining as his UFC 115 fight vs. Rory.