As reported earlier today, Vitor Belfort was forced to pull out of his UFC 112 title bout against Anderson Silva due to required emergency surgery on his shoulder.

UFC President Dana White put out a statement shortly after, saying that Silva would still fight on the UFC 112 card in the middleweight division. All he needed to do was find a replacement.

The chosen one? Demian Maia.

Maia, most recently, is coming off of an impressive three-round win over Dan Miller at last weekend's UFC 109. The submission expert stood and traded with Miller, showing off his striking skills. With a 12-1 record (6-1 UFC), the organization found him to be the most suitable fit to replace the injured Belfort.

"It's always tough when a top fighter like Vitor Belfort has to pull out of a big title fight, but we have found a high quality replacement," White said in a statement released by the UFC. "Anderson Silva vs. Demian Maia will be a match up between MMA's best striker and MMA's best grappler."

Chael Sonnen, who is coming off of a very impressive yet unexpected win over Nate Marquardt at UFC 109, would have been next in line for a title shot against Silva, but due to injuries he sustained last weekend, he is unable to make a safe transition into fighting at 100 percent in eight week's time.

While Maia has proven to be a top six middleweight fighter, according to White, it almost seems like a fluke that he would get his title shot this early since other middleweights have been promised a chance at the belt previously. Last July, at UFC 100, Dan Henderson was promised a title shot if he beat Michael Bisping. But after his victory, White recanted. Marquardt was then promised a title shot if he was victorious over Maia at UFC 102 in August 2009. But after he won, White changed his mind again. Next, Belfort was given a title shot after his 195-lbs. catchweight win over Rich Franklin at UFC 103. His win over Franklin was his first Octagon win since January 2004.

Belfort has already gone through surgery on his shoulder, reported MMAFighting. He will be sidelined for four to eight months.

UFC 112 will take place on April 10 in Abu Dhabi. Another championship belt will be put on the line as lightweight champion B.J. Penn will take on Frankie Edgar. Former welterweight champion Matt Hughes will also take on Renzo Gracie.

Make sure to check back with us the day of the event for free, live, round-by-round coverage of UFC 112 right here at FiveKnuckles.com! Join expert analyst Mike Williams as he takes you through the entire fight card blow-by-blow and then keep it right here for all the post-fight news and notes you can handle!