UFC 179 gets yet another countrymen on the card as Brazilian slugger Fabio Maldonado returns to the light heavyweighr division to fight the Dutch Hans Stringer.
UFC officials announced the match-up on Thursday.
Maldonado (21-7) is coming off a loss to heavyweight Stipe Miocic in Brazil. Maldonado replaced fellow countrymen Junior dos Santos in the main event of the TUF Brazil 3 Finale and get knocked out in 35 seconds. Prior to this, Maldonado put his crisp boxing on display in wins consecutive wins against Joey Beltran, Gian Villante and Roger Hollett.
Stringer (22-5-3) is a member of the Blackzilian camp and has not lost since late 2010. 5-0-2 in his last 7, Stringer is coming off of a successful UFC debut against another Brazilian in Francimar Barroso in Brazil. Stringer is a well rounded fighter that feels comfortable anywhere the fight goes. His nine knockouts and eight submissions prove that.
This bouts placement on the card i unknown at this time, but expect it to be a preliminary bout.
UFC 179 is expected to take place on October 25 at the Maracanãzinho Gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.