Fourteen months after the UFC sent him packing, Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictured) will be taking his talents back to the Octagon once again. Gonzaga’s management company, Team Link, announced Friday afternoon their client will face Ednaldo Oliveira at UFC 142.
Oliveira was originally scheduled to fight Rob Broughton in the January 14th event, but Broughton was forced out earlier today with an undisclosed injury.
“Napao” was rewarded with a four-fight UFC contract for agreeing to serve as a last-minute substitute.
Gonzaga posted a 8-5 mark in the UFC from 2005 to 2010. The former heavyweight top contender was issued his walking papers after losing back-to-back bouts to Junior dos Santos and Brendan Schaub, respectively.
In his only scrap since his release, the 32-year-old posted a submission victory over Parker Porter in October at “Reality Fighting.”
Oliveira owns a 13-0-1 professional record and will be making his big league debut against Gonzaga.
UFC 142 takes place inside the HSBC Arena in Rio de Jenairo, Brazil. A featherweight title bout between champion Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes headlines the pay-per-view broadcast.
Here is the card’s updated roster:
Preliminary Bouts:
Fabio Maldonado vs. TBD
Mike Pyle vs. TBD
Ednaldo Oliveira vs. Gabriel Gonzaga
Yuri Alcantara vs. Michihiro Omigawa
Felipe Arantes vs. Antonio Carvalho
Sam Stout vs. Thiago Tavares
Main Bouts:
Erick Silva vs. TBD
Terry Etim vs. Edson Barboza
Mike Massenzio vs. Rousimar Palhares
Vitor Belfort vs. Anthony Johnson
Chad Mendes vs. Jose Aldo (UFC Featherweight Champion)
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