MMAFighting.com has learned with sources close to the UFC that “The Mexicutioner” Joey Beltran (14-8 MMA, 4-5 UFC) is heading to Brazil for a light heavyweight showdown against Sao Paulo native Fabio Maldonado (19-6 MMA, 2-3 UFC).
Beltran is coming off a unanimous decision win over Igor Pokrajac at December’s UFC on FX event in Australia. However, that victory was eventually overturned to a no-contest after Beltran tested positive for nandrolone. Prior to the Prokrajac bout, Beltran lost a decision to James Te Huna in a “Fight of the night” performance at the UFC on FUEL TV: Munoz vs. Weidman event.
Meanwhile, Maldonado’s most recent effort saw him score a unanimous decision win over Canadian Roger Hollett at the UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold event back in May. That victory snapped a 3-fight losing skid for the Brazilian, as he had suffered previous losses to Kyle Kingsbury, Igor Pokrajac and Glover Teixeira.
UFC Fight Night 29 takes place in Barueri, Sao Paulo, Brazil on October 9. The event is headlined by a welterweight fight between Demian Maia and Jake Shields.