Maia v Askren confirmed for Singapore

The worst keep secret over the past few weeks has finally been confirmed by the UFC with news that Demian Maia vs Ben Askren will be the featured bout at the UFC Fight Night: Singapore event taking place in October.

With solid rumours and stories doing the rounds for some time, the BJJ vs wrestling match up will top the bill at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Saturday 26th October.

It what will be his third fight in the UFC, you can’t argue that Ben Askren (19-1) has been given some serious fights in his fledgling Octagon career. The highly divisive character is currently 1-1 in the UFC after beating Robbie Lawler in his debut before being destroyed by Jorge Masvidal’s knee in what is the fastest KO in UFC history, his first defeat as a professional. The former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion will look to reignite his quest to become a three promotion champion when he takes on the BJJ behemoth that is Demian Maia (27-9).

Competing in the Octagon since UFC 77 in October 2007, Demian Maia has amassed an incredible 30 fights within the promotion, with only Donald Cerrone (32) and Jim Miller (33) having more fights in the UFC than the highly-experienced Brazilian. Currently on a two-fight winning streak, Maia has seen off a long-list of names in the UFC with the likes of Jorge Masvidal, Carlos Condit, Matt Brown and Chael Sonnen all failing to come up trumps against the highly decorated 4th degree BJJ black belt.

With just the one TKO in his UFC career and having only one KO/TKO defeat against him when he lost in twenty-one seconds Nate Marquardt at UFC 102 in 2009, it’s safe to say that a centre of the Octagon slugfest is unlikely. What we will see though are two machines in the grappling and wrestling world collide in a fight that won’t appeal to all but certainly has the potential for a masterclass in the art wrestling and BJJ.

UFC Fight Night: Singapore
Singapore Indoor Stadium, Kallang, Singapore
Saturday 26th October 2019

Confirmed fights to date

Ben Askren vs. Demian Maia
Welterweight

Michael Johnson vs. Stevie Ray
Lightweight

Maurice Greene vs. Sergei Pavlovich
Heavyweight

Don’Tale Mayes vs. Ciryl Gane
Heavyweight