Florian vs. Maynard Signed For UFC 118

Kenny Florian confirmed on MMAWeekly Radio that he will be facing Gray Maynard in a lightweight showdown at UFC 118.

UFC 118 will take place Aug. 29 at the TD Garden in Boston. This is the first time the UFC will hold a show in Massachusetts since a law was passed in November that now allows the state to host MMA events.

The main event at UFC 118 is expected to be a rematch for the lightweight title between newly crowned champion Frankie Edgar and the long-time king of the division, B.J. Penn. The co-headlining bout of the evening will see Randy Couture take on boxing legend James Toney in his MMA debut.

Florian made the announcement on MMA Live Thursday and said that bout agreements have been signed for the fight.

“I can say right now I did sign to fight Gray Maynard the other day,” Florian said.

Florian had been rumored to face Maynard ever since he defeated Takanori Gomi last month. Now Florian will get a chance to creep one step closer to another lightweight title shot when he fights in his hometown of Boston.

Florian is 8-1 in his last nine fights with his only loss coming to the hands of former lightweight champion Penn last year at UFC 101.

Maynard is the only fighter to have defeated Edgar so far in his career. Maynard will likely guarantee himself a title shot against the winner of Edgar and Penn with a victory over Florian at UFC 118.