UFC Sao Paulo News

Jordy McElroy - November 16, 2019

An opportunity of a lifetime hung in the balance for Paul Craig in Saturday’s co-main event tilt with former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. The beautiful city of Sao Paulo served as the backdrop for UFC Fight Night 164, where a journeyman came face-to-face with a beloved MMA legend. Craig (12-4) was coming off a submission victory over Vinicius Moreira back in September at UFC Fight Night 159. Not only did the victory serve as a bounce-back performance after a jarring knockout loss to Alonzo Menifield, but it marked his fourth win under the UFC banner and brought his overall UFC record up to 4-4.

Chris Taylor - November 16, 2019

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua squares off with Scottish standout Paul Craig in the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC Sao Paulo. Shogun Rua (26-11 MMA) was most recently seen in action at December’s UFC Adelaide event, where he scored a third round TKO victory over Tyson Pedro. The Brazilian legend has gone 4-1 over his past five Octagon appearances.

Chris Taylor - November 16, 2019

The Octagon returns to Sao Paulo this evening for UFC Fight Night 164, an event headlined by a light heavyweight bout between Jan Blachowicz and Jacare Souza. The entire 12-bout fight card is set to air on ESPN+ starting at 5pm EST.

Tom Taylor - November 15, 2019

Initially, it looked as though a whopping three fighters had missed weight for Saturday’s UFC Sao Paulo card, including bantamweight opponents Tracy Cortez and Vanessa Melo. After the weigh-ins had wrapped up, however, the Comissao Atletica Brasileira de MMA (CABMMA) announced that the scale was not properly calibrated for the UFC Sao Paulo weigh-ins and that a correction had been made. As a result, Tracy Cortez and Vanessa Melo’s weights were adjusted to 136 pounds apiece.

Cole Shelton - November 14, 2019

In the main event of UFC Sao Paulo, Jan Blachowicz is looking to make it two in a row when he welcomes Ronaldo Souza to the light heavyweight division. Heading into the fight, Blachowicz is a -200 favorite while ‘Jacare’ is a +160 underdog. Ahead of the action, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions. The majority are leaning towards Blachowicz and some see the Polish fighter getting another knockout win. Many also believe the size difference will play a factor.

Cole Shelton - November 11, 2019

After Jan Blachowicz knocked out Luke Rockhold at UFC 239, many expected the Polish fighter to get the next title shot. Yet that opportunity has continued to elude Blachowicz. Instead of fighting for the title next, he’ll welcome former Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza to the light heavyweight division in the main event of UFC Sao Paulo.

Harry Kettle - October 30, 2019

UFC light heavyweight Paul Craig will step in to face Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in the co-main event of UFC São Paulo, UFC has announced. The card is scheduled to take place on November 16 at Ginásio do Ibirapuera, with the headliner pitting Jan Błachowicz against Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. The co-main event was also set to be a light heavyweight showcase with Sam Alvey facing Rua, but now, it’ll be “Bearjew” Craig that steps in for the biggest fight of his life.

Natasha Hooper - September 27, 2019

The MMA legend Maurício “Shogun” Rua is set to return to the Octagon. According to ESPN, the former light heavyweight champion will fight Sam Alvey on Nov. 16th at UFC Sao Paulo in Brazil.

Chris Taylor - September 22, 2018

A welterweight bout between Alex Oliveira and Carlo Pedersoli served as the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC Fight Night 137 event in Sao Paulo. “Cowboy” enters tonight’s contest having won five of his past six fights. Oliveira (18-4-1 MMA) was most recently seen in action at April’s UFC on FOX event where he scored a submission victory over former UFC interim welterweight title holder Carlos Condit.

Chris Taylor - September 22, 2018

A light heavyweight bout between Sam Alvey and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira took place on tonight’s UFC Fight Night 137 main card from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Sam Alvey enters tonight’s fight having won three of his past four octagon appearances. His latest victory came over Gian Villante via split-decision at June’s UFC Fight Night event in Utica.

Chris Taylor - September 22, 2018

A women’s strawweight bout between Randa Markos and Marina Rodriguez kicked off tonight’s UFC Fight Night 137 main card from Sao Paulo, Brazil. The fight proved to be an absolute thriller with Randa Markos dominating round one before Marina Rodriguez was able to turn the tide in round two.

Chris Taylor - September 22, 2018

A heavyweight bout between Augusto Sakai and Chase Sherman took place on tonight’s UFC Fight Night 137 prelims from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Chase Sherman enters tonight’s contest on a two fight losing skid. His latest setback came to Justin Willis via decision this past April in Atlantic City.

Chris Taylor - September 22, 2018

A welterweight scrap between Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos and Luigi Vendramini served as the second bout of tonight’s UFC Fight Night 137 event in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In the second round, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos was able to connect with a huge flying knee that had Luigi Vendramini staggering in retreat. From there, Elizeu landed a plethora of punches that eventually caused Luigi to hit the canvas and the referee to step in and stop the contest.

Chris Taylor - September 22, 2018

The octagon returns to Sao Paulo, Brazil this evening for the promotions UFC Fight Night 137 event. Tonight’s fight card is headlined by a middleweight bout between Thiago Santos and Eryk Anders.

Tom Taylor - September 21, 2018

Tomorrow night, the UFC will promote its latest show in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Although this UFC Sao Paulo card has been absolutely shellacked by injuries and fight cancellations, it’s still highlighted by some interesting matchups. One of those matchups is the main event. Originally, the card was expected to be headlined by a light heavyweight showdown between ranked contenders Jimi Manuwa and Glover Teixeira. Unfortunately, Teixeira was forced out of the fight with an injury, and replaced by beefed-up middleweight contender Thiago Santos. Regrettably, Manuwa was then also forced out of the fight, and replaced by rising middleweight contender Eryk Anders. What we’ve been left with is a surprising but compelling Eryk Anders vs. Thiago Santos light heavyweight main event.

Tom Taylor - September 18, 2018

The UFC’s return to Sao Paulo, which goes down on Saturday, September 22, has been absolutely decimated by fight cancellations. The latest blow to this UFC Sao Paulo card occurred when welterweight fighter Belal Muhammad was forced out of his fight with Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. This news comes was first reported by Combate. Per Combate’s report, Muhammad, who sustained an undisclosed injury, will be replaced by promotion newcomer Luigi Vendramini, who steps in on mere days’ notice. The 22 year-old-Brazilian is 7-0, and will have his hands full against the streaking finisher dos Santos, who is 19-5 overall.

Drake Riggs - August 29, 2018

After losing one half of its co-main event earlier this week, UFC Sao Paulo now has lost the whole thing as a replacement has been found but the date changed. Injury after injury has seemed to occur for the UFC’s return event to Brazil on September 22 and here’s to hoping there will be no more.

Drake Riggs - August 28, 2018

UFC Sao Paulo can’t seem to catch a break. First, it lost its original main event with the loss of Glover Teixeira and just yesterday the co-main took a hit as well. But the ever so cruel injury bug wouldn’t stop his reign of terror there…