In the main event, No.3-ranked light heavyweight contender Glover Teixeira (21-2 in mixed martial arts) takes on the No.10-ranked Ryan “Darth” Bader (16-3). Fighting in his home state of Minas Gerais, Teixeira is looking to cement his status as a leading contender to the UFC® light heavyweight world title, currently held by Jon Jones.
Two top-five middleweights collide in the co-main event, as former world title challenger and current No.3 contender Yushin “Thunder” Okami (30-7) collides with former champion and Brazilian star Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza (18-3, 1 NC).
“It’s a dream to be in a UFC main event, especially in my home state,” said Teixeira. “I have no words to describe what I’m feeling right now. My home city, Sobralia, is very excited and I have received a lot of support. I’ll be able to fight in front of my family and friends since they’re all travelling to Belo Horizonte to watch me. I think I’m going to need a lot of tickets!”
“I’m looking forward to fighting in Brazil for the first time,” said the Arizona-based Bader. “I’ve heard the fans are amazing. I may not be the fan favorite going in, given I’m fighting one of their top guys, but I’ve been training hard, I’m ready for a battle, and I’m going to bring it. I know a win over Glover would give me a good boost up the rankings and I’m working hard to get back into contention.”
Marshall Zelaznik, UFC Managing Director of International Development, added: “We’re excited to be heading back to Belo Horizonte, a city that welcomed us with so much enthusiasm last year at UFC 147, with the UFC’s first Wednesday-night fight in Brazil.
“The energy at the Mineirinho arena was incredible and we expect it to be no different this time with the great fight card we’ve got lined up. It’s our fifth event in Brazil this year and every event continues to meet and exceed expectations and show us why the country has become so important for the UFC.”
Tickets for UFC® FIGHT NIGHT: TEIXEIRA vs. BADER go on sale Friday, July 19 at 10 a.m. BRT and are priced at $418, $198, $132 and $66. Tickets will be available online atwww.ticketsforfun.com.br, at T4F sales locations or by calling +55 21 4003-5588.
Also on the card, Belo Horizonte native Rafael “Sapo” Natal (16-4-1) looks for his third consecutive win against Swedish middleweight Tor “The Hammer” Troeng (16-4-1). Minas Gerais will also be represented by Lucas “Mineiro” Martins, (12-1), who is making his bantamweight debut against Junior Hernandez (8-4). Jiu-jitsu specialist Jussier Formiga (15-2) looks for his second consecutive win in Brazil in a flyweight battle against two-time title challenger Joseph Benavidez (18-3).
The Ultimate Fighter Brasil veterans also square off as season 1 favorites Hugo “Wolverine” Viana,
(7-2), now fighting at bantamweight, and Marcos “Vina” Vinicius (20-5-1), now at 125 pounds, will meet The Ultimate Fighter® season 14’s Johnny “Brutal” Bedford (19-11-1) and Russian newcomer Ali Bagautinov (10-2), respectively. In addition, Brazilian welterweights Yuri Villefort (6-2) and Marcelo “Magrao” Guimarães (8-1-1) both look to rebound from losses in their bouts against Sean Spencer (9-2), and Keith Wisniewski (28-13-1), respectively.
Finally, in a featherweight matchup, Felipe “Sertanejo” Arantes will face heavy-hitting TUF Live alum Sam Sicilia. Arantes replaces TUF Brasil fan favorite Godofredo Pepey, who was originally announced as Sicilia’s opponent but forced off due to injury.
The Mineirinho Arena held its first UFC event in June 2012, when UFC® 147 crowned the first The Ultimate Fighter® Brasil winners, Rony Jason and Cezar “Mutante” Ferreira.
The September event will begin at 4:30 p.m. local time, with the main card slated to begin at 8 p.m. Doors open to the public at 3:30 p.m.
Fight card
Light heavyweight – five rounds: Glover Teixeira vs. Ryan Bader
Middleweight: Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza vs. Yushin Okami
Flyweight: Jussier Formiga vs. Joseph Benavidez
Middleweight: Rafael Natal vs. Tor Troeng
Flyweight: Marcos Vinicius “Vina” vs. Ali Bagautinov
Bantamweight: Hugo “Wolverine” Viana vs. Johnny Bedford
Featherweight: Felipe Arantes vs. Sam Sicilia
Welterweight: Marcelo Guimarães vs. Keith Wisniewski
Featherweight: Lucas “Mineiro” Martins vs. Junior Hernandez
Welterweight: Yuri Villefort vs. Sean Spencer
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