UFC Fight Night 62 Demian Maia vs. Ryan LaFlare full fight video preview

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will send Demian Maia into the UFC Fight Night 62 main event against Ryan LaFlare, scheduled for five-rounds later tonight (Sat., March 21, 2015) inside Maracanazinho Gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The top-ranked welterweights were initially slated to be the co-main event, but a headlining injury sent LaFlare into his first main event billing, while Maia takes the top spot for the third time in his Octagon career.

Maia (19-6) has long been touted as one of the best grapplers in UFC, but coming off a lengthy injury, the Brazilian needs to make sure he's prepared to go 25 minutes. Maia is 4-2 since dropping down to the welterweight division, most recently snapping a two-fight losing streak by outpointing Alexander Yakovlev last May.

As for LaFlare (11-0), the undefeated prospect has looked sensational in his Octagon career thus far, earning four unanimous decision victories over increasingly difficult competition. Had LaFlare accrued a finish in any of his previous outings, he may have been ascending the ladder at a much quicker rate.

The Blackzilian product is also coming off an injury layoff heading into tonight's bout against Maia, so it will be interesting to see if it affects him later tonight.

Check out the "Strikezone" video preview of the "Maia vs. LaFlare" welterweight showdown below.

MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Fight Night 62 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the Fight Pass "Prelims" matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET, right on through the FOX Sports 2-televised prelims and FOX Sports 1 main card, slated to begin at 8 and 10 p.m. ET, respectively.

For much more on tonight's UFC Fight Night 62 main event check out our complete FOX Sports 1 news archive by clicking here.