In addition to announcing that tickets for UFC on Fuel TV 2 would go on sale this Friday (January 13, 2012), the Ultimate Fighting Championships also announced the main event for the promotions first trip to Sweden.
Swedish Light heavyweight, ‘The Mauler’ Alexander Gustafsson (13-1), will have a chance to fight in front of his countrymen against ‘Little Nog’ Antônio Rogério Nogueira (20-5) at the upcoming April event.
News was announced by the promotion via press release at UFC.com. Here is part of the release which also confirmed several other bouts for the card.
The first European UFC event of the year will be held in the prestigious Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, adding yet another highly- important market to UFC’s global expansion. The main event pits Stockholm’s rising star Alexander Gustafsson vs. former PRIDE® star Rogerio “Lil’ Nog” Nogueira in an exciting light heavyweight contest.
“Sweden has been on our radar for a long time and on April 14, we’re excited to finally bring the UFC to Stockholm,” UFC President Dana White said. “We’re putting together a great card for the Swedish fans. I can’t wait to get there in April!”
… Additional bouts for this card include: Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Paulo Thiago in welterweight action; DaMarques Johnson vs. John Maguire in a 170-pound contest; undefeated kickboxer Jörgen Kruth of Sweden vs. French striker Cyrille Diabate at light heavyweight; middleweight competitor Magnus “Jycken” Cedenblad of Sweden against highly-touted prospect Francis Carmont; middleweight standout Brian Stann vs. Italian striker Alessio Sakara; bantamweight action pitting British bomber Brad Pickett vs. free-swinging American Damacio Page; welterweight James Head vs. Papy Abedi, who was born in France, but now lives and trains in Stockholm.
Gustafsson has won four straight and is 5-1 in the Octagon since his debut back in November 2009. He was last in action just a few weeks ago, earning a first round TKO victory over Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 141. ‘The Mauler’ has earned twelve of his thirteen victories by (T)KO or by submission.
Nogueira also fought in December except it was at the UFC 140 event in Toronto. ‘Little Nog’ stopped a two fight losing skid by finishing ‘The Peoples Champ’ Tito Ortiz via first round TKO after landing several shots to the body of Ortiz while on the ground. So far he’s gone 3-2 in the Octagon with two “Fight Night” bonuses.