Francisco Trinaldo
A pair of former TUF participants appear set to meet inside the Octagon for the upcoming UFC on FX 8 event in lightweights Francisco ‘Massaranduba’ Trinaldo (12-2) and Mike ‘The Wolverine’ Rio (9-1).
Brazilian website Tatame.com announced the bout on Friday afternoon.
UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold (aka UFC on FX 8) is expected to take place on May 18, 2013 at the Arena Jaraguá in Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil. The event will see former UFC champ Vitor Belfort and the last Strikeforce title holder Luke Rockhold battle in a middleweight bout.
Trinaldo appeared on TUF Brazil earning his way into the house and through the first round before a loss. The Brazilian was in action this past January in front of his own countrymen at UFC on FX 7, picking up a second round submission against C.J. Keith. His previous Octagon appearances saw him lose by decision to Gleison Tibau at UFC 153 and win his debut at UFC 147 in a middleweight bout against Delson Heleno.
Rio was a member of Team Cruz during season sixteen of the reality series debuting at the TUF 16 Finale. At the Vegas event ‘The Wolverine’ won his Octagon debut by submitting opponent John Cofer with an armbar in the third round of their bout. The victory was Rio’s third straight win since losing for the first time in July 2011.