Nigerian embraces ‘blessing’ in WEC

World Extreme Cagefighting wants to put its best foot forward in its pay-per-view debut on April 24.

One of those feet belongs to Las Vegas-based kickboxing specialist Anthony Njokuani, who will be added to the card against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.

Njokuani, who lives in town and trains at One Kick Nick’s gym on Sunset Road, said Monday he is honored to have been selected for the prestigious card.

“It’s a blessing,” he said. “I think about it every single day, and I’m so privileged to be given an opportunity to fight on the first pay-per-view show. It still blows my time every single time I think about it.”

The 29-year-old Nigerian, who was raised in Dallas, has won “knockout of the night” in three straight bouts since losing to current lightweight champion Ben Henderson.

Njokuani is coming off a highlight-reel first-round stoppage of Chris Horodecki in December that thrust him up the ladder in the division and made him an easy choice to be featured by the WEC in its showcase event in Sacramento, Calif.

“With three straight knockout of the night honors, Anthony has proven to be one of the most dangerous lightweights in the world,” WEC general manager Reed Harris said. “We’re excited to see him take the next step of his career on pay per view on April 24. With another win, he could be ready for a world title shot. He definitely has the tools to one day wear the belt.”

Njokuani thinks a win over what is likely to be a big-name opponent will go a long way toward achieving that goal.

“I’m not one of the top five guys yet. I still have a lot of proving to do,” he said. “Once I beat this person, I guess it will be proven that I’m there.”

The card will be headlined by Jose Aldo’s featherweight title defense against Urijah Faber and Henderson’s lightweight defense against Donald Cerrone.

• MAIA IN FOR BELFORT — Demian Maia will get the next shot at Anderson Silva’s Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title at UFC 112 on April 10 in Abu Dhabi.

Vitor Belfort was supposed to take on Silva but pulled out of the fight after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Maia appeared well on his way to a title shot last year, but his undefeated professional mark took a hit when he was knocked out by Nate Marquardt in 21 seconds in August.

He rebounded somewhat with a largely unimpressive decision victory over Dan Miller on Feb. 6.

Chael Sonnen was to be next in line after Belfort by virtue of his victory over Marquardt on the same Feb. 6 card, but he suffered severe facial lacerations in the bout. He is also in the midst of a primary race in his bid for the Oregon state legislature.

Maia owns a win over Sonnen by first-round submission in February 2009.

• UFC 110 — The UFC event in Australia will air live on pay per view at 7 p.m. in the Pacific time zone.

The card will go live on Sunday afternoon in Australia to better accommodate the U.S. audience.

A heavyweight contender bout between Cain Velasquez and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira serves as the main event. Wanderlei Silva will meet Michael Bisping at middleweight.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.