Home
News
Article
Click the 'Like' button to become a fan of UFC!

No, Thank You

The UFC Returns to Brazil in January with Belfort vs. Bisping

November 03, 2012
Article
Comments ()
THE UFC KICKS OFF 2013 CALENDAR WITH VITOR BELFORT VS. MICHAEL BISPING IN BRAZIL
*Scheduled for January 19th, this will mark the second year in a row a Brazilian event kicks off the UFC’s calendar worldwide.

*In the main event of the evening, Brazilian legend Vitor Belfort faces TUF 3 winner Michael Bisping; fans will also get a chance to watch the debuts of Daniel Sarafian, Godofredo Pepey and Thiago Bodão as official UFC fighters

*Details on city and venue are expected to be announced in the following weeks

One of the biggest legends of MMA, Vitor Belfort will return to the Octagon on January 19th, facing off against TUF 3 light heavyweight winner Michael Bisping in the main bout of the first Brazilian event of 2013. In a venue yet to be defined, fans will also witness the debuts of three of the first The Ultimate Fighter </a>Brasil stars as official UFC fighters: Daniel Sarafian, now fully recovered from the injury that forced him out of the show’s big finale, faces C.B Dollaway; Godofredo Pepey, featherweight finalist, faces fellow Brazilian Miltinho Vieira; and Thiago Bodão goes up against Michael Kuiper.
    
Brazilian audiences will also get a chance to see up close Brazilian standouts such as Edson Barboza, Thiago Tavares, Diego Nunes, Gabriel Napão, Wagner Caldeirão, Ronny Markes, Francisco Masaranduba and Iuri Marajó. All bouts have been verbally agreed to and will be aired live in Brazil exclusively by Canal Combate.

“As we had anticipated, 2013 will be a very busy year for the Brazilian fans. We are very happy about this January 19th event, which will kick off our calendar for this year like UFC Rio 2 did in 2012”, says Marshall Zelaznik, UFC’s Managing Director of International Development. “There are still a few details to be settled before we decide the host city. We expect to announce the venue over the next weeks”.

The 19th January event will be the fifth one held in Brazil. The country has hosted three events in Rio de Janeiro and one in Belo Horizonte since August of 2011. Apart from the events, 2013 will also bring the second edition of the reality show The Ultimate Fighter Brasil to Brazilian fans.

Official card*

Main Card

Vitor Belfort vs Michael Bisping
C.B. Dollaway vs Daniel Sarafian
Ben Rothwell vs Gabriel "Napão" Gonzaga
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Thiago Tavares

Preliminary Card

Godofredo Pepey vs Miltinho Vieira
Andrew Craig vs Ronny Markes
Nik Lentz vs Diego Nunes
Justin Salas vs Edson Barboza
Michael Kuiper vs Thiago "Bodão" Perpetuo
George Roop vs Iuri "Marajó" Alcantara
Roger Hollett vs Wagner "Caldeirão" Prado
C.J. Keith vs Francisco "Massaranduba" Trinaldo

*All bouts live and subject to change

Comments

Related Topics

Related News

Sunday, July 7
2:00 PM
NZST
Las Vegas, Nevada
Buy Tickets
How to Watch

Media

Recent
UFC light heavyweight geniuses Forrest Griffin and Phil Davis mull over some necessary changes to the rulebook and lobby for an Eye Poke of the Night bonus.
UFC light heavyweight geniuses Forrest Griffin and Phil Davis mull over some necessary changes to the rulebook and lobby for an Eye Poke of the Night bonus.
19/06/2013
In 2008, middleweight champion Anderson Silva moved up in weight to 205 to see if his power would still be a threat at light heavyweight. It was.
In 2008, middleweight champion Anderson Silva moved up in weight to 205 to see if his power would still be a threat at light heavyweight. It was.
18/06/2013
Every fighter has weak points and every fighter makes mistakes. On July 6, Anderson Silva plans to be the one who's shored up his weak points and capitalizes on Chris Weidman's mistakes.
Every fighter has weak points and every fighter makes mistakes. On July 6, Anderson Silva plans to be the one who's shored up his weak points and capitalizes on Chris Weidman's mistakes.
17/06/2013
From block party to prelims to post-main event, get an all-access look at Winnipeg's first-ever UFC event.
From block party to prelims to post-main event, get an all-access look at Winnipeg's first-ever UFC event.
17/06/2013
N. Diaz vs. R. Lawler, N. Diaz vs. K. Oishi, and D. Sanchez vs. B. Gassaway are featured in this episode of UFC Unleashed.
N. Diaz vs. R. Lawler, N. Diaz vs. K. Oishi, and D. Sanchez vs. B. Gassaway are featured in this episode of UFC Unleashed.
31/10/2005
In just his second fight inside the Octagon, Anderson Silva challenged Rich Franklin for the UFC middleweight crown. watch the fight here - for free!
In just his second fight inside the Octagon, Anderson Silva challenged Rich Franklin for the UFC middleweight crown. watch the fight here - for free!
17/06/2013
At UFC 135 Jon Jones successfully defended his light heavyweight title after sinking in a rear naked choke on Rampage Jackson.
At UFC 135 Jon Jones successfully defended his light heavyweight title after sinking in a rear naked choke on Rampage Jackson.
24/04/2013
In 2008, middleweight champion Anderson Silva moved up in weight to 205 to see if his power would still be a threat at light heavyweight. It was.
In 2008, middleweight champion Anderson Silva moved up in weight to 205 to see if his power would still be a threat at light heavyweight. It was.
18/06/2013