Dana White announces new general manager of UFC Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO — Five months after cutting ties with Grace Tourinho, the UFC has announced a new head for the promotion in Brazil.

During the UFC Fight Night 62 post-fight press conference Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro, UFC president Dana White introduced Giovani Decker as the promotion’s new Senior Vice President and General Manager. Asics’ first president in Brazil, Decker has 23 years of experience in the business world.

“I wanted to say I’m very happy coming in on the right foot,” Decker said at the press conference. “I think Brazil lost only one fight tonight, so I came in and gave luck to everyone.

“The UFC does a sensational job in Brazil, but I hope to make it even better. I’m coming in, I’m very motivated. I hope to put the UFC in a different level.”

Brazil went 9-1 against foreigners at UFC Fight Night 62 in the Maracanazinho Gymnasium, capped off by Demian Maia and Erick Silva beating to Ryan LaFlare and Josh Kosheck in the main and co-main events, respectively.

“Brazil represents the biggest market for the UFC outside the United States, and we’re really happy to have Giovani helping us grow and guide out business,” White stated in a press release. “With the launching of the new The Ultimate Fighter Brazil, the recently crowned lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, Jose Aldo heading to the biggest fight of his career, and global star headlining an event in Rio, Giovani and the UFC Brazil team will have many opportunities.”

The UFC already has three shows lined up in the country, with Carlos Condit vs. Thiago Alves headlining UFC Fight Night 67 on May 30, the TUF: Brazil 4 Finale card on June 27, and Ronda Rousey facing Bethe Correia in the main event of UFC 190 on Aug. 1.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Five months after cutting ties with Grace Tourinho, the UFC has announced a new head for the promotion in Brazil.

During the UFC Fight Night 62 post-fight press conference Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro, UFC president Dana White introduced Giovani Decker as the promotion’s new Senior Vice President and General Manager. Asics’ first president in Brazil, Decker has 23 years of experience in the business world.

“I wanted to say I’m very happy coming in on the right foot,” Decker said at the press conference. “I think Brazil lost only one fight tonight, so I came in and gave luck to everyone.

“The UFC does a sensational job in Brazil, but I hope to make it even better. I’m coming in, I’m very motivated. I hope to put the UFC in a different level.”

Brazil went 9-1 against foreigners at UFC Fight Night 62 in the Maracanazinho Gymnasium, capped off by Demian Maia and Erick Silva beating to Ryan LaFlare and Josh Kosheck in the main and co-main events, respectively.

“Brazil represents the biggest market for the UFC outside the United States, and we’re really happy to have Giovani helping us grow and guide out business,” White stated in a press release. “With the launching of the new The Ultimate Fighter Brazil, the recently crowned lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, Jose Aldo heading to the biggest fight of his career, and global star headlining an event in Rio, Giovani and the UFC Brazil team will have many opportunities.”

The UFC already has three shows lined up in the country, with Carlos Condit vs. Thiago Alves headlining UFC Fight Night 67 on May 30, the TUF: Brazil 4 Finale card on June 27, and Ronda Rousey facing Bethe Correia in the main event of UFC 190 on Aug. 1.