[RANK5=John Hyon Ko] Santiago Ponzinibbio has injured his hand and is requiring surgery so former two-division title contender Demian Maia will step in on three weeks notice and take on Kamaru Usman.
This is a blessing in disguise for Usman since Maia is a bigger name and a higher ranked opponent.
"The Nigerian Nightmare" has been screaming for an opportunity to prove himself against the upper-echelon of the welterweight division and he gets his chance against the jiu-jitsu legend. Usman comes into this fight on an 11-fight win streak and seven of those being in the UFC.
Maia, however, has not looked like the best version of himself as of late. The 40-year-old Brazilian is currently riding a two-fight losing streak against superior wrestlers. At UFC 214, he lost to Tyron Woodley via unanimous decision, as a result, failing once again at capturing a championship title. Then, three months later, he faced Colby Covington at UFC Fight Night 119 and repeated history with a lackluster performance.
With his past history with wrestlers, Usman seems to have the advantage entering this main event.
UFC Fight Night 129 will take place at the Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile on May 19.
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