It appears Demian Maia (18-4) will take on Josh Koscheck (17-7) in a welterweight bout at August’s UFC 163: Aldo vs. Pettis, according to Brazilian mixed martial arts media outlet NewsMMA.
According to Brazil’s NewsMMA, UFC 163: Aldo vs Pettis will likely see the addition of Demian Maia vs Josh Koscheck ow.ly/kx77Q
— Joe Ferraro (@ShowdownJoe) April 29, 2013
The matchup for former UFC No. 1 contenders will see the Brazilian Maia, who previously fought for the middleweight title, try to improve to 4-0 as a 170-pounder. The 35-year-old is coming off a win over Jon Fitch at UFC 156 in February.
Now the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, who has shown improved striking of late, will take on another veteran and former welterweight title challenger in Koscheck, but one who is not exactly on a hot streak. Koscheck, also 35, is on a two-fight losing streak. He was stopped by strikes for only the second time in his career at UFC 157 in February at the hands of Robbie Lawler.
UFC 163 takes place on Aug. 3 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is headlined by the featherweight title bout between champion Jose Aldo and longtime lightweight Anthony Pettis, who is dropping down to challenge the pound-for-pound stalwart. While no location has been finalized, the event is expected to be held at Rio’s HSBC Arena.