The UFC is preparing for a future without longtime matchmaker Joe Silva.

The promotion announced Tuesday that it has hired former Legacy FC front man Mick Maynard as the vice president of talent relations. Sean Shelby, who worked under Silva, has been promoted to Silva's old role of senior vice president of talent relations. The two will work together to organize UFC bouts, develop athletes on the roster and scout potential talent, per a release.

Silva will retire at the end of 2016 after more than 20 years with the UFC. Silva began with the promotion before the Fertitta brothers and Dana White even bought it, while it was still owned by Semaphore Entertainment Group (SEG).

"Joe Silva's contributions to the UFC over the last 20 years were huge, and he played a big role in helping make the sport as big as it is today," UFC president Dana White said in a release. "He left his mark on this sport and I wish him nothing but success in retirement."

"I'm excited to have Mick on board working alongside Sean. Mick has become one of the most respected people in the fight game and he's done a great job in finding and developing talent. Sean has been a tremendous asset to the UFC for a long time, and I look forward to working with Sean and Mick in the years to come."

Maynard, native of Australia, has been promoting MMA for 10 years. Legacy, which Maynard owned and ran, has helped send names like Holly Holm, Henry Cejudo, Valentina Shevchenko and Sage Northcutt to the UFC.

On Monday's edition of The MMA Hour, RFA owner Ed Soares announced an RFA merger with Legacy, forming the Legacy Fighting Alliance. Maynard's move to the UFC seemingly brought about that change. The LFA, like Legacy and RFA before it, will air on AXS TV.

Maynard was spotted on stage during the UFC 203 weigh-ins earlier this month.

"This is an incredible opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to delivering the action-packed, exciting fights that UFC fans have come to expect," Maynard said in the release.