· UFC 112 Bout Signings and Announcements

The UFC’s debut in Abu Dhabi is set to take place on April 10 when “UFC 112: Invincible” comes to the Ferrari World Concert Arena. While it has long been known that the card will feature title defenses from both Anderson Silva and BJ Penn, the rest of the event has begun to take shape with nine recently signed bouts.

Silva, originally slated to defend the UFC middleweight title against Vitor Belfort, will now take on Brazilian jiu-jitsu sensation Demian Maia. Maia replaces Belfort after he suffered a shoulder injury in training. Silva’s new opponent is coming off a decision victory over Dan Miller at UFC 109. Maia also holds a first round submission victory over current number-one contender Chael Sonnen. Sonnen was originally looked at as a replacement, but a cut suffered in his dominant win over Nate Marquardt at UFC 109 will force him to watch from the sidelines.

Silva, coming off of a long lay-off due to elbow surgery, has not been in the Octagon since his first round destruction of former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin at UFC 101.

BJ Penn will defend the UFC Lightweight Championship against Frankie “The Answer” Edgar. Edgar (11-1) earned his shot at the title on the strength of a recent three-fight winning-streak against Hermes Franca, former champion Sean Sherk, and Matt Veach.

Penn was last in action at UFC 107, where he put on the most dominant performance of his career against Diego Sanchez, stopping him via cut in the fifth round.

A bout between two welterweight legends, former champion Matt Hughes and Renzo Gracie, rounds out the headlining bouts. Hughes last competed at UFC 98 where he defeated Renzo’s student, former champion Matt Serra. Hughes also owns a victory over Renzo’s cousin, MMA pioneer Royce Gracie. While Renzo has had a legendary career, with fights in Pride, K-1, IFL, and Elite XC on his record, he will be making his Octagon debut at the age of 42.

Rising star Terry Etim is set to take on Brazilian jiu jitsu specialist Rafael Dos Anjos. Etim has been an absolute tear of late, with four consecutive victories against Sam Stout, Brian Cobb, Justin Bucholz, and Shannon Gugerty. Dos Anjos is coming off wins over Rob Emerson and Kyle Bradley, which followed back-to-back losses in inspired performances against Jeremy Stephens and Tyson Griffin.

“The Ultimate Fighter 3” winner Kendall Grove faces off with Mark Munoz, a training partner of Brandon Vera. Grove last competed at UFC 106, where he took a first round submission victory over Jake Rosholt. Munoz has gone 2-0 since his move to middleweight at UFC 102, collecting wins over Nick Catone and Ryan Jensen.

Highly touted prospect Phil Davis has also signed on to fight undefeated Alexander Gustafsson in a clash of light heavyweights. Davis made his UFC debut at UFC 109, where he took an impressive decision over former WEC Light Heavyweight Champion Brian Stann. Gustafsson returns to the Octagon after a quick demolition of Jared Hamman at UFC 105.

Grizzled UFC veteran Paul Taylor makes his lightweight debut against John Gunderson. Taylor has been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride of late, with three losses in his last seven bouts. He last tasted defeat at UFC 105, losing a unanimous decision against John Hathaway. Gunderson, also coming off a loss to Rafaello Oliveira at UFC 108, hopes to earn his first Octagon victory.

Undefeated prospect Nick Osipczak is signed to meet break-out success Rick Story in a welterweight battle that promises to build a future star. Osipczak comes into the bout after an upset win over highly favored prospect Matt Riddle at UFC 105, stopping Riddle in the third round via TKO. Story rebounded from a decision loss to John Hathaway in his UFC debut at UFC 99 with impressive performances over Brian Foster and Jesse Lennox, and looks to continue in his winning ways.

British star Paul Kelly comes into his third lightweight bout against Matt Hughes protégé Matt Veach, both men are looking to rebound from recent losses. Kelly last competed at UFC 105, losing to Dennis Siver via TKO. While Veach suffered the first defeat of his career against Frankie Edgar at “The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale”, losing via rear naked choke to the man who will face Penn for the title.

Also reported, but yet to be signed is a heavyweight bout between Jon Madsen and Mostapha Al Turk, as well as a clash of welterweights Damarques Johnson and Brad Blackburn.