It's official! UFC announces return to Brazil with event in Rio de Janeiro in October

Ultimate promoted UFC Rio at Christ the Redeemer (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

It's now official: the UFC will return to Brazil in 2015. In an announcement made via social media last Wednesday (30), the organization confirmed the holding of a 'Fight Night' event on October 11th at the Farmasi Arena, in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro.

Those interested in attending the next edition of UFC Rio can now register on the organization's official website to purchase pre-sale tickets.

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Although there are no fights officially announced by the organization yet, UFC Rio, which has been speculated about for a few months, already has two duels in the works: in the heavyweight division, Jonathan Diniz must measure forces with the undefeated Portuguese Mario Pinto, according to initial findings from 'MMA Fighting', while, in the flyweight division (up to 56,7 kg), Lucas 'Fenômeno' is expected to face the Australian Stewart Nicoll, according to information from 'Ag Fight'.

The main fight is the big unknown at UFC Rio

With two fights well underway on the card, the excitement is high as to who will headline the night. So far, the UFC hasn't revealed any plans for the main event, keeping the mystery surrounding who will headline the show in Rio de Janeiro.

Because it is a Fight Night, it's unlikely the card will feature a title fight. Therefore, the main attraction is likely to be a rising Brazilian name or a well-established veteran of the organization.

One of the most quoted initially was the lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) Maurício Ruffy, undefeated in the UFC, but the Fighting Nerds pupil has been giving signals on social media that should be part of the UFC Paris card, scheduled for September — a month before the event in Rio —, which practically rules out its participation in the Rio edition.