On Saturday night, the UFC kicks off 2013 with its first event in Brazil since Anderson Silva demolished Stephan Bonnar last October.
The fact that the world’s premier MMA promotion has returned to the South American country so soon is a reflection of how crucial Brazil will be for the UFC’s fortunes in 2013.
But aside from that, UFC on FX 7, a free-to-air event, will feature some outstanding Brazilian talent, top to bottom, to electrify Sao Paulo on Saturday night.
Headlining the night is a crucial middleweight bout between Michael Bisping and Vitor Belfort.
Here’s a fan’s guide to that fight and the rest of the main card.