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[Cat--Smasher]

UFC plans October return to Rio de Janeiro, likely for UFC 153

On the eve of this weekend's UFC 147 event in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, the promotion is already planning a return trip to South America's largest country.

Marshall Zelaznik, the UFC's managing director of international development, today revealed during a UFC 147 pre-event press conference that the organization is planning to visit Brazil again before year's end.

MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) has confirmed with additional sources close to the event that promotion officials are targeting an Oct. 13 date at HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro for the event, which could serve as UFC 153. However, those same sources warned that both the date and host city of the event could potentially change before an official announcement is made.

The UFC first visited Brazil in October 1998 for UFC 17.5 in Sao Paulo. The company didn't return to the country until August 2011 for UFC 134. However, the overwhelming support of the country for the UFC has earned Brazil quick return trips for January's UFC 142 fight card, as well as this Saturday's upcoming UFC 147 event.

"The growth of the UFC here is based on the foundation of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and a real foundation for this sport in this country – the icons, the Brazilian fighters, the champions – have put the UFC in a great position for success here," Zelaznik said.

Brazil has already hosted two recent championship fights involving native athletes, with middleweight champion Anderson Silva defeating Yushin Okami at UFC 134 and featherweight titleholder Jose Aldo downing Chad Mendes at UFC 142.

While Zelaznik declined to speculate what fights might take place at the October event, he did suggest anything is possible.

"I would anticipate championship fights coming regularly and often to Brazil," Zelaznik said. "We have big plans in the new year. We have another event coming this year, so you can expect to see a lot more from the UFC in Brazil."

UFC plans October return to Rio de Janeiro, likely for UFC 153 | MMAjunkie.com

[TheDoucheyWun]

Gheyyyyyyy! this may prevent JDS/Cain from happening in Toronto. The minute those tickets go on sale they be mine

[Cat--Smasher]

UFC confirms second 'TUF: Brazil' season, credits strong Brazilian market

UFC confirms second 'TUF: Brazil' season, credits strong Brazilian market | MMAjunkie.com

UFC executive Marshall Zelaznik today declared the debut season of "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil," which concludes at Saturday's UFC 147 event in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, a resounding success and said the promotion is already planning on a second edition of the series.

"We do anticipate another season," Zelaznik today told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com). "It's certain that we'll do it."

Zelaznik said the second edition of the series will likely take place in 2013, with the show following a similar schedule to this season's debut, which featured Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort as coaches of 32 prospective UFC fighters.

"We don't have coaches identified or weight classes yet," Zelaznik said. "You can expect that 'The Ultimate Fighter' season will come back, and we'll do more tryouts. The timing of that is probably just like this season, so we'll start filming around January and be on air in March."

Zelaznik said the series is likely to continue in its Sunday-night timeslot in Brazil, where the series proved one of the country's most-successful events and drew massive ratings for broadcast partner Globo.

"Brazil is quickly becoming the No. 1 market for the UFC when it comes to fan support," Zelaznik said. "You're talking about 10 million people watching each week. We're No. 1 in the timeslot. The AB demographic is the most upscale demographic, and we're the highest-rated reality show in Brazil (in that demographic).

"When you start looking at the data, you could almost lump the U.S., Canada and the U.K. together, and it wouldn't be as many fans as there are here in Brazil. The country has adopted the sport."

[ckauffman28]

Prob gonna be Aldo- Koch...