Author: Matt Erickson [matt-erickson]

If it hasn’t become obvious over the past year or so, the UFC has a fairly intense love affair with Brazil.

And with good reason. The UFC returned to the South American cradle of mixed martial arts in August 2011 for the first time in nearly 13 years and has already been back three times.

The live events draw big crowds and big gates, and UFC President Dana White says that enormous numbers of people are watching on Brazilian TV.

Although cautious about planning too far ahead of its inaugural event, World Series of Fighting has ambitious goals for 2013.

WSOF President Ray Sefo said if all goes well with WSOF 1, the promotion would like to hold between eight to 12 events next year.

Additionally, Sefo told MMAjunkie.com that WSOF will soon crown champions in the weight divisions it promotes.

The UFC’s blockbuster year-end card in Las Vegas keeps growing a little stronger. 

Now UFC 155 can add a lightweight showdown between Michael Johnson and Myles Jury to its lineup. Sources close to the bout on Wednesday confirmed the booking with MMAjunkie.com. ESPN first reported the fight.

UFC 155 takes place Dec. 29 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Kevin James wasn’t messing around when it came to getting into character for his latest film.

James, best known for playing the lead on “King of Queens” for nine seasons, had his latest big-screen star turn premiere earlier this month – the MMA- and UFC-themed “Here Comes the Boom.”

And for it, James took getting into fight shape – or at least reasonable fight shape – fairly seriously.

Like most opponents in his position, Bellator’s inaugural welterweight champ Lyman Good found himself smothered by Ben Askren.

Good ceded his belt to the standout wrestler two years ago and has since worked to shore up his weaknesses in grappling.

Now, he’s confident a second meeting would go much differently, and he’s working to make a rematch a reality with a win over Michail Tsarev in the semifinals of Bellator’s season 7 tournament, which takes place Friday at Bellator 78.

After an increase with the third event of its seventh season, Bellator’s ratings dipped back this past weekend.

Bellator 77 averaged 149,000 viewers on the MTV2-broadcast main card. The number was down from the 175,000 who watched Bellator 76 the week prior and the 190,000 who watched the Season 7 debut, Bellator 74. But they were up from the 145,000 who tuned in for Bellator 75.

MMAjunkie.com on Tuesday confirmed the ratings numbers with industry sources.