UFC® FIGHT NIGHT: MAIA vs. ASKREN in Singapore Everything you need to know
Alastair Bishop
Posted On October 25, 2019
Welterweight Warriors
The main event sees Ben Askren and Demian Maia face off in a highly anticipated welterweight bout. Askren enters this fight with only one loss in his illustrious MMA career to date, and “Funky” recorded an impressive submission victory over UFC legend “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler in his UFC debut earlier this year.
His opponent Maia can be considered a UFC legend in his own right, having fought in two title fights in two different weight classes. At 42 years old, Maia will be looking to strengthen his legacy as one of the best grapplers in MMA history and add to his 10 UFC submissions (3rd most in UFC history.) Askren, however, has never been submitted in his MMA career, adding another level of intrigue to this one.
Battling Braveheart
Scottish native Stevie Ray takes on Michael Johnson in the card’s co-main event. Ray, who has won 10 of his last 15 fights, enters the bout hoping to make a statement against a former contender Michael Johnson, who has faced the likes of Nate Diaz, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier in recent times. “Braveheart”, is looking to continue his incline in the lightweight division and utilise his strong all-round game to negate Johnson’s extensive experience. An active member of the community, Ray also runs his own MMA gym in Kircaldy, Scotland.
Flying Frenchman
French rising star Ciryl Gane looks to continue his ascent through the heavyweight division with a victory over American Don’Tale Mayes. “Bon Gamin”, who only turned pro in 2018, currently holds a perfect 4-0 MMA record, and has 3 first round finishes to date. His opponent, Mayes, however, recorded two impressive knockout victories on Dana White’s Contender Series and will also be looking to impress on what will be his UFC debut. Whilst Gane might have the advantage, the knockout power of both athletes means this one is unlikely to go the distance.
Main Card
Demian Maia vs. Ben “Funky” Askren
Michael “The Menace” Johnson vs. Stevie “Braveheart” Ray
Frank “The Crank” Camacho vs. Beneil Dariush
Ciryl “Bon Gamin” Gane vs. Don’Tale “Lord Kong” Mayes
Muslim “King of Kung Fu” Salikhov vs. Laureano “Pep” Staropoli
Prelims
Randa “Quiet Storm” Markos vs. Ashley “Spider Monkey” Yoder
Alex “The Spartan” White vs. Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev
Enrique “El Fuerte” Barzola vs. Mosvar Evloev
Maurice “The Crochet Boss” Greene vs. Sergei Pavlovich
Loma Lookboonmee vs. Alexandra “Stitch” Albu
Raphael “Bebezão” Pessoa Nunes vs. Jeff “Lights Out” Hughes
