Though it has yet to be officially announced, UFC 142 is expected to take place on January 14, 2012 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, according to recent reports. Potential fights for the card have yet to be revealed, however following this past August’s successful UFC 134 event, it was only a matter of time before the company returned to the spiritual home of mixed martial arts.
UFC president Dana White first revealed the company’s plan to return Brazilian outlet UOL but did not confirm the date or location. UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta recently completed a trip to Brazil, where he was said to be completing the UFC’s January return to the country, as well as scouting out possible future host cities in the South American nation.
The first-ever international version of “The Ultimate Fighter” will soon be hosted by Brazil according to White who added fans should also expect to see the promotion make frequent visits to the country.
“It’s a huge market for us,” White said of Brazil. “It’s incredible down there. We’re going to do as many as we possibly can.”