Maldonado (left), Morango (center) and Patolino (right) make up the UFC 179 card. Photo: Produção Super Lutas (Josh Hedges/UFC)
The UFC Rio 5 card is gaining momentum and has received a real Brazilian invasion in recent days. Only this Wednesday (03) and Thursday (04), the Ultimate organization confirmed the presence of three more homegrown athletes at the event on October 25th at the Maracanãzinho Gymnasium. The new fighters scheduled for the night are: Fábio Maldonado, Fabrício Morango and William Patolino.
After starring in his first main event in his career, in a lightning defeat to Stipe Miocic at the TUF Brasil 3 Final in May, Fábio Maldonado returns to the octagon against the Dutchman Hans Stringer. The “Caipira de Aço” has a professional record of 21 wins and seven losses. Stringer, on the other hand, has a record of 22 wins, five defeats and three draws.
Rio's Fabrício Morango and William Patolino will face in their hometown, respectively, the Americans Josh Shockley and Neil Magny. Morango is going through a difficult time, with two defeats in his last fights, and is considering staying in the event, as a new setback could mean he will be cut from the squad. Patolino, in turn, is coming off a victory over Bobby Voelker and hopes to extend his winning streak to move up in the welterweight category.
UFC 179, or UFC Rio 5, takes place on October 25th at Ginásio do Maracanãzinho. In the main fight of the night, the Brazilian and featherweight champion José Aldo faces the North American Chad Mendes. The duel is a rematch of the UFC Rio 2 fight, won by Aldo with a knockout in the first round. In the co-main event, former light heavyweight title challenger Glover Teixeira face Phil Davis.
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