Fabio Maldonado
Earlier today, officials with the Ultimate Fighting Championship announced the promotions latest trip to Brazil with the UFC on FX 8 event for this May.
Also included in that announcement was a light heavyweight bout between Fábio Maldonado (18-6) and Roger ‘The Hulk’ Hollett (13-4), while news of a bantamweight meeting featuring Francisco Rivera (9-2) vs. Hugo ‘Wolverine’ Viana (7-0) was announced by MMAWeekly.com.
UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold is expected to take place on May 18, 2013 at the Arena Jaraguá in Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil. The event will be headlined by a middleweight bout between Vitor Belfort and the final Strikeforce champ Luke Rockhold.
Maldonado has dropped three straight inside the Octagon and currently holds a 1-3 record. His last fight took place in October at UFC 153 in Brazil which resulted in a second round TKO loss to Glover Teixeira. Maldonado was a late replacement for an injured Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.
Hollett had been linked to a fight with Wagner Prado this past January at UFC on FX 7 but was forced out with a torn bicep and replaced by newcomer Ildemar Alcantara. Hollett appeared once in the Octagon, debut last September at UFC 152 versus Matt Hamill ending in a decision victory for ‘The Hammer.’
Rivera is in his second run with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is currently 4-0 with 1 “No Contest.” His last fight went down just last month in Vegas at UFC 156 which ended in a second round TKO victory over opponent Edwin Figueroa. Prior to that, Rivera had a knockout win over Roland Delorme changed to a “No Contest” after testing positive for a banned substance.
Viana is undefeated so far in his pro-career with two victories under the UFC banner. His last fight went down in December at the TUF 16 Finale which saw Viana debut at bantamweight picking up a first round knockout over Reuben Duran.