UFC confirms big event for Rio in March

Octagon returns to Brazil in March 2016. Photo: Jeff Bottari/UFC

The UFC has confirmed the date and location of the first event to be held in Brazil in 2016. It will be UFC 197, on March 5, at the HSBC Arena, in Rio de Janeiro. The information was released by Giovani Decker, General Director of the largest MMA organization on the planet in Brazil.

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The names of the fighters who will participate in the attraction have not yet been confirmed. However, as it is a “numbered” card, that is, it will be transmitted in pay-per-view In the United States, Brazilian fans can expect a prominent name, including a title fight.

This will be the seventh numbered event to be held in Brazil. The others until then had Anderson Silva, José Aldo, Wanderlei Silva e Ronda Rousey in the main fights.

The news puts a damper on the UFC's plans to hold an event in March at the Arena da Baixada, a football stadium located in Curitiba. There was speculation about a fight show in the capital of Paraná for the third month of the year, possibly with the participation of Fabricio Werdum, current UFC heavyweight champion, and Anderson Silva.

Giovani Decker also confirmed that four UFC events will be held in Brazil throughout 2016. This represents a decrease compared to recent years, as seven attractions were held in 2014 and five this year.

Hangout SUPER FIGHTS special UFC SP

This Monday (09), starting at 20pm (Brasília time), SUPER LUTAS will hold a special edition of the Hangout, analyzing and debating the UFC Sao Paulo: Belfort x Henderson 3. Watch live on our YOUTUBE CHANNEL!