Belfort invites Sérgio Moro to UFC 198 and fighters promise to protest in Curitiba

Belfort (photo) will face R. Jacaré in Curitiba. Photo: Alexandre Schneider/UFC

Held amidst one of the moments of greatest political tension in Brazil in recent decades, UFC 198, scheduled for May 14th in Curitiba (PR), should be the stage for demonstrations against the federal government and in support of judge Sérgio Moro , one of the main names in Operation Lava-Jato. The average weight Vitor belfort, in fact, said that he will invite Moro to closely follow the event at Arena da Baixada.

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“It’s an honor to fight in Sérgio Moro’s homeland. I would like the judge to follow the fights. If I need to, I’ll buy as many tickets as he wants,” said Vitor, during a promotional event in a nightclub in the capital of Paraná on Tuesday night (29), according to the website of the newspaper “Gazeta do Povo”.

Heavyweight champion, and opponent of Stipe Miocic in the main fight of the card, Fabricio Werdum called on fans to protest during the event. “It’s a good opportunity to stage a protest. The Arena will be full, I support the peaceful demonstration, songs talking about Dilma and impeachment. If I can give a message of motivation after the fight, I will do so”, guaranteed the gaucho.

Asked about the athletes' position, UFC director in Brazil Giovani Decker stated that the organization vetoes any type of spontaneous demonstration by fighters, but stressed that the event also does not support any type of political cause. “The UFC is a democratic institution. We don't repress, but we don't encourage. We have a good relationship with the federal government, the government of Paraná and the city of Curitiba”, he assured.

Political demonstrations in the octagon by Brazilian fighters are nothing new in the UFC. Over the last few months, several fighters have expressed their position through statements on microphones, whether at events in Brazil or abroad.