Demian Maia set to return in the main event of UFC Nashville against Jorge Masvidal

Top UFC welterweight contender Demian Maia has opted to take another fight instead of waiting for the winner of next weekend’s UFC 209 main event title fight between Stephen Thompson and Tyron Woodley.

According to a report from Brazilian news outlet Combate, the submission specialist has agreed to square off with Jorge Masvidal in the main event of UFC Nashville on April 22.

UFC Nashville was originally expected to be headlined by a featherweight bout between Cub Swanson and Artem Lobov, but it appears that 145-pound scrap will have to take a backseat to this newly announced welterweight showdown.

Demian Maia was last seen in action at UFC on FOX 21 in August of 2016 where he scored a first-round submission victory over former interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit. That victory served as Maia’s sixth-straight and moved the Brazilian in to title contention.

Meanwhile, Jorge Masvidal is coming off arguably the finest performance of his career last month in Denver where he stopped surging division contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone with a second-round TKO win.

“Gamebred’s” victory over Cerrone served as his third-straight win and vaulted him up the welterweight standings.

Who do you think will emerge victorious in this key welterweight contest? Sound off PENN Nation!