When the announcement came that Vitor Belfort was not going to be able to challenge Anderson Silva for the title as planned at UFC 112, speculation ran rampant over his possible replacement.

When Demian Maia found out that he had been the one chosen, he didn't hesitate in accepting an invitation to the biggest fight of his life.

Speaking to Brazil's TATAME, Maia revealed he is still a little amazed by the whole situation, but is already preparing his training strategy to get ready to face Silva on April 10 in Abu Dhabi.

"I knew about it last night," said Maia. "I still can't believe it. My manager called me and they asked if I wanted to fight for the belt. I said 'of course, you don't even have to ask it'."

Although Maia was listed on the medical report after UFC 109 with a possible suspension until August for a laceration on his left eyelid unless cleared by a doctor, he made no mention of his injury. Instead, Maia said his training to face Dan Miller, whom he defeated at UFC 109 while showcasing his improved striking skills, had left him feeling well-prepared.

"I'll have time to prepare a strategy," Maia stated. "I'm coming from a heavy training and I'm in a fight rhythm. I'll let my body rest this week and I'll start the training next week. I still don't know where I'll train, but I'll go train Boxing with (Luis Carlos) Dorea for sure. My physical preparation will be with (Rafael) Alejarra."

Dorea is the boxing coach for the Nogueira brothers, and Alejarra is Wanderlei Silva's former physical trainer. But despite his recent display of standup prowess against Miller, Maia recognizes where his true strength lies- on the ground.

"If I say to you that I'm gonna exchange with him I'll be lying," said Maia plainly. "It's the same thing if I say he'll go to the ground with me. But I'll go to this fight ready for everything. It's a title fight and the title always was my dream. I imagined having this title shot a year ago, but I had two more fights and God, for one reason,  gave it to me now. I think (Chael) Sonnen is not recovered from the fight against Nate Marquardt and won't have time to get ready to this. They looked for the top guys and I was the choice."

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!