The UFC is really making a strong push to make Brazil one of the premier markets of MMA, and it looks like they’ll start the new year there yet again. Two fights have been booked for a planned January 19th card, including one featuring a TUF Brazil runner-up. Via MMA Junkie:
Yuri Alcantara (27-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is dropping a weight class to fight fellow bantamweight Johnny Eduardo (26-9 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at the currently unannounced Jan. 19 UFC event in Brazil.
Additionally, featherweights Godofredo Castro (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) and Milton Vieira (13-7-2 MMA, 0-0-1 UFC) will meet at the event.
Alcantara entered the UFC from the WEC as a lightweight (where he knocked out current FW contender Ricardo Lamas). He dropped to featherweight and recorded wins over Felipe Arantes and Michihiro Omigawa, but dropped a decision to Hacran Dias at UFC 147. Eduardo debuted at UFC 134, losing to Raphael Assuncao by decision, but he bounced back in May with a win over Jeff Curran.
Godofredo Pepey is the TUF Brazil featherweight runner-up. His fight with Rony Jason was not only ugly, but Pepey repeatedly pulled guard to no positive effect. Vieira opened up UFC 147 with the rare split draw against Felipe Arantes.
With the Super Bowl weekend card marked as UFC 156, that means there are no PPVs in January, so expect this card to be on FUEL or FX.