UFC to return to Brazil in the summer?

http://www.mmamania.com/2010/12/3/1853604/uol-esporte-in-brazil-reports-that-ultimate-fighting-championship-ufc

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UOL Esporte reports that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is targeting an August 2011 return to Brazil at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro with Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira all rumored to compete.

Tatame Gracie Mag reported a fall show and the UFC said that wasn't true. This would be a huge shock.

http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/12/03/ufc-expected-to-announce-return-to-brazil-later-this-month/

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The UFC's return to Brazil is close to becoming a reality.

MMA Fighting has learned from sources close to the situation that the organization is planning on holding a press conference later this month in Brazil to announce that they will be putting on an event in the South American country in 2011.

No word just yet on when the press conference will take place or when and where the event will take place.

Last month, GracieMag.com reported that the UFC was planning on holding an event at the HSBC Arena in Barra da Tijuca, Rio De Janiero, in November 2011.

This event would mark the UFC's first in Brazil since Ultimate Brazil in October 1998 and only the second in the organization's 17-year history.

Ultimate Brazil, held at the Ginasio da Portuguesa in Sao Paulo, was headlined by Frank Shamrock successfully defending the middleweight title against John Lober. Also, Pat Miletich became the first UFC welterweight champion after he defeated Mikey Burnett and Vitor Belfort defeated Wanderlei Silva in just 44 seconds via TKO.

This event would also be the first one in Brazil since Zuffa purchased the organization from Semaphore Entertainment Group in 2001.

UFC should work a Brazil/Olympics angle, not a MMA in the Brazil Olympics, but a show in Brazil which happens right before the Olympics that showcases the best of their international fighters to bring a certain type of exposure to the sport, one which supports eventual consideration to MMA being included. Too bad I think UFC would never try to do something like that, not good for business. It would take another to get the ball rolling, the UFC would be battling it any way they could probably.

Maybe get the Chael vs Spider rematch in Brazil???

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-to-Announce-First-Ever-Rio-de-Janeiro-Show-28607

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Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and President Dana White are set to travel to Rio de Janeiro next week, where they will announce, in conjunction with Mayor Eduardo Paes, the first UFC event ever to hit the city.

Fertitta, White and Paes will make the announcement on Wednesday, Dec. 15, at Paes’ official residence, the Palacio da Cidade. Textual, the company responsible for the UFC’s public relations in Brazil, confirmed the press conference on Monday.

According to Textual, UFC champions Anderson Silva, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Jose Aldo will also be in attendance, along with middleweight contender Vitor Belfort and MMA legend Royce Gracie.

The UFC has not held an event in Brazil in over a decade. The promotion’s last trip to the largest country in South America was 1998’s “Ultimate Brazil” -- also known as UFC 17.5 -- which took place in Sao Paulo. That show was highlighted by a clash of countrymen Belfort and Wanderlei Silva, with Belfort scoring a technical knockout over “The Axe Murderer” in just 44 seconds.

Pretty cool. Hopefully they can get some good matchups for the higher profile Brazilians on the card

I hope it happens I love the Brazilian (when they aren't throwing stuff) and Japanese crowds.