Dallas will get a welterweight treat May 13 at the American Airlines Center as No.3 Demian Maia (24-6-0) will try to stop the streaking No. 6 Jorge Masvidal (32-11-0).
The bout is a tremendous opportunity for Masvidal to leapfrog in the rankings, possibly all the way to a title shot, which is generally thought to be Maia’s after the results of the UFC 209 main event. His convincing knockout win over Donald Cerrone at UFC on FOX 23 raised eyebrows among critics and fans alike.
Say what y'all want. I'm the bad guy. Always have been. Always will be. I wouldn't expect you to understand #easymoney #makeUFCgreatagain
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) March 1, 2017
MMA Crossfire Vault – UFC 211 news
Conversely, Maia is potentially risking his assumed title shot. He previously said he would wait for the title shot after submitting Carlos Condit at UFC on FOX 21 in August 2016, not anticipating a draw between champion Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson at UFC 205 and subsequent rematch this Saturday at UFC 209.
Sometimes in life, the more you pursuit a dream, the more it escapes you. All there's left is to keep walking, and never give up..
— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) February 26, 2017
A bout pitting two of the top welterweights in the world against each other is heading to American Airlines Center in Dallas on May 13, as No. 3-ranked Demian Maia puts his six-fight winning streak on the line against surging No. 6-ranked veteran Jorge Masvidal.
#UFC211 adds @DemianMaia & @GamebredFighter!
📖 https://t.co/vYFKAGynrk pic.twitter.com/rzDn32WYp5
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2017
The current card lineup is:
Stipe Miocic (16-2-0) vs Junior dos Santos (18-4-0)
Joanna Jedrzejczyk (13-0-0) vs Jessica Andrade (16-5-1)
Fabricio Werdum (21-6-1) vs Ben Rothwell (36-10-0)
Jarjis Danho (6-1-1) vs Dmitry Poberezhets (24-5-1)
Gabriel Benitez (19-5-0) vs Enrique Barola (12-3-1)
UFC 211 is scheduled to take place May 13 at the American Airlines Center. Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic defends against Junior dos Santos in the main event.
Tickets go on sale to the general public March 24.