Now that every available seat inside the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has been purchased, the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion is studiously filling out the roster for “UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami.” The Octagon’s long-awaited return to jiu jitsu nation takes place August 27th.
Middleweight king Anderson Silva puts his crown on the line against Yushin Okami in the night’s featured attraction. A light heavyweight rematch between former champs Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Forrest Griffin will serve as the co-main event.
It’s been over a decade since the Octagon last held a show on Brazilian soil. In 1998, Sao Paulo hosted “UFC 17.5: Ultimate Brazil.” However, UFC president Dana White considers this to be their debut because Zuffa, LLC didn’t own the company back then.
Needless to say, much has changed.
The pay-per-view broadcast will air live in America at 9PM ET/6PM PT.
Here are the athletes expected to appear in Brazil:
Preliminary Bouts:
Alexandre Ferreire vs. Rousimar Palhares*
Antonio Carvalho vs. Yuri Alcantara*
Paulo Thiago vs. David Mitchell*
Yves Jabouin vs. Ian Loveland
Spencer Fisher vs. Thiago Tavares
Mike Swick vs. Erick Silva
Main Bouts:
Stanislav Nedkov vs. Luiz Cane
Brendan Schaub vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Ross Pearson vs. Edson Barboza
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Forrest Griffin
Yushin Okami vs. Anderson Silva (UFC Middleweight Champion)
* – Not officially announced