(Hopefully for everybody’s sake the 2002 version of Ricco shows up to fight Texeira)
According to a report from TATAME, Brazilian light heavyweight standout Glover Texeira will take on former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez on November 27 in the main event of a show titled “MMA Against Dengue.”
The event, which is being organized by the municipal government of Rio de Janeiro to educate residents about the deadly Dengue Fever, will take place at Pacificador Square, in Duque de Caxias.
Where I live, we’re lucky if the local government organizes a flu shot clinic.
Undefeated in his past 13 outings, Texeira (15-2), who trained at The Pit with John Hackleman and Chuck Liddell before running into visa issues, has not lost since 2005 when he dropped a unanimous decision to Ed Herman at Sportfight 9. Since then the 32-year-old has finished all but one opponent, notching ten knockouts and two submissions in that span. His biggest win came against Thierry Rameau Sokoudjou under the WEC banner prior to the “African Assassin” making a name for himself in PRIDE.
Rodriguez (47-12) is winless in his last two bouts, but prior to the slide was 12-0 in as many fights, however the streak came against less than stellar competition. Plagued with addiction for a large portion of his career, the 34-year-old former Lion’s Den and Team Punishment fighter’s last notable win was nine years ago when he finished Randy Couture with a well-timed elbow at UFC 39 to win the vacant UFC heavyweight strap.
No other bouts have been announced for the card.