Pedro 'The Rock' Nobre
Brazilian newcomer Pedro ‘The Rock’ Nobre (14-1-2) is reportedly set to replace George Roop (12-9-1) at the upcoming UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Bisping event. Nobre will take on fellow Brazilian Yuri ‘Marajó’ Alcantara (27-4) who has his third different opponent for the event.
Report of the change comes via Brazilian website SporTV who learned of the change from a contact with Brazilian Top Team (BTT).
UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Bisping (aka UFC on FX 7) is expected to take place on January 19, 2013 at the Ibirapuera Arena at São Paulo, Brazil. The television event is headlined by a middleweight bout between former champ Vitor Belfort and Michael Bisping.
Nobre appeared on TUF: Brazil as a featherweight contestant but suffered a first round KO loss and failed to qualify for the reality series. Besides that match, ‘The Rock’ competed five times in 2012 picking up three wins, a draw and one loss. He most recently earned two wins in one night this past December, picking up a decision and a TKO finish at a Bitetti Combat 13 show to win that promotions Grand Prix champ.
Alcantara had been scheduled to face Johnny Eduardo, who was then replaced by Roop and will now take on Nobre on less than two weeks notice. The Brazilian saw his thirteen fight win streak stopped last June at UFC 147 after losing a decision to Hacran Dias. Previous to that Alcantara had earned two decisions in the Octagon defeating Michihiro Omigawa at UFC 142 and Felipe Arantes at UFC 134.