Koshceck

By FCF Staff

The August 3rd, UFC 163 card will no longer feature a top ten welterweight tilt between Demian Maia and Josh Koscheck, as the promotion has announced that the latter has been forced to withdraw due to injury. The UFC announcement did not provide any details regarding the extent of Koscheck’s injury, but the organization has confirmed Maia has also been pulled from the card. As a result, the event will proceed with 12 fights instead of 13.

Koscheck (17-7) was looking to get back on track after dropping consecutive bouts for the first time in his accomplished career. Last May, the welterweight lost by split decision to Johny Hendricks and then in February, Koscheck was stopped by Robbie Lawler. Prior to the defeats the TUF vet scored a split decision victory over Mike Pierce.

Maia (18-4), meanwhile, continues to impress at 170, as the former middleweight contender is coming off victories over Dong Hyun Kim, Rick Story and most recently Jon Fitch. The renowned grappler made the drop to welterweight after losing by unanimous decision to Chris Weidman in January, 2012.

UFC 163 will be headlined by a featherweight title fight between champion Jose Aldo and challenger Chan Sung Jung. The card will be hosted by Rio de Janeiro’s HSBC Arena.