With the return of the UFC to Brazil for the first time since 2003, the plethora of Brazilian fighters on the card makes this even more special.
With Brazilian greats like Anderson Silva, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Anotonio Rodrigo Nogueira returning to their homeland, there is more on the line than ever before.
All of the fighters will be put to the test by their individual opponents, but the idea of home-field advantage will be in full effect when the UFC hits Rio.
Nogueira told MMA Junkie about his return to Brazil with the UFC:
It was very emotional. Most Brazilian fighters haven’t had the pleasure to fight in Brazil. This will be my 40th fight, and I’ve never had the opportunity to fight in Brazil. To be rooting as a Brazilian would be great, but to be a part of all this is just too much. MMA is growing a lot in Brazil and throughout the world. I’m very happy for that. After this event, I foresee a spike in the growth of the sport. Some people are against it because they’re not familiar with it. That’s going to change after Saturday.
While the UFC is already huge in the United States, if it flourishes in other countries like it obviously has the potential to do, the UFC could become a huge international brand.
All of these fighters have done their people proud, but no fighter has done more to promote the sport amongst the Brazilian people than UFC Champion Anderson Silva.
If UFC President Dana White wants to take control of the MMA game completely, he will invest heavily in developing countries with a high chance of returning great superstars.
Brazil is obviously one of those places.
Check back for more on the UFC as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Mixed Martial Arts Page to get your fill of MMA.