UFC Rio

According to www.yorkblog.com

UFC Rio Fight Card: Vitor Belfort Talks Wanderlei Silva Rematch, Fighting In Hometown

Vitor Belfort is not only a pioneer of MMA in both North and South America, he's also arguably Brazil's most popular MMA fighter. It would only make sense that he would on the short list of those Brazilian fighters slated to appear on the UFC's return to Brazil this August at UFC: Rio. Belfort recently spoke to Tatame magazine, discussing why once rival Wanderlei Silva backed off from his challenge and why it would be his dream to compete on the UFC: Rio card.

In terms of Wanderlei Silva rematch not happening:

"Well, my friend, what can I do? The tongue is a man’s whip and he needs to learn to speak less and fight more. But anyways, what you gonna do? That’s life brother, I don’t care about that, I am focused on my next challenge. I don’t care about names, I don’t choose my opponents, my focus is always my next fight, regardless of who that may be.
For me it’s cool, I don’t live life in the expectations of men, [I live life] in the expectations of God, life is like that. Sometimes we lose, the unforeseen happens and we need to be ready and trained, because we cannot guarantee the results. I am the type of guy that will follow through with what I say, I’m not a man who says one thing and not do it"

With respect to fighting in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro:

"That’s all I want. That’s my dream, to be able to fight in Rio de Janeiro, in my country. Fight for my people has always been my dream. Since I was one of the pioneers of the sport in my country, it would be a sort of reward for everything I’ve done for the sport".

And a fair reward indeed. Belfort's career has experienced it's fair share of peaks and troughs, but the generally trajectory and heft of his presence has lifted the entire sport, particularly in Brazil. He married a well-known Playboy model and appeared on one of Brazil's top-rated reality shows. For better or worse, he's been the face of MMA in his home country. Promotionally, using Belfort's services makes considerable sense and if the UFC is in the business of "rewarding" those who've helped to elevate the sport, Belfort's a top candidate.

UFC Rio Fight Card: Royce Gracie Hints At Appearance

It could all be bluster or an attempt to get publicity, but my sense tells me he's not exaggerating. Royce Gracie, UFC Hall of Famer and the first key figure in North American MMA, appears to be close to obtaining a fight on the UFC: Rio event in August later this year. He told UOL Esportes the following:

"It would be the perfect place to do my last fight. I never fought in Rio de Janeiro and I couldn't be more psyched. We are negotiating [the fight deal], but we should have it finalized in two weeks. We only had an initial contact and I don't even have an opponent yet, but we should have that finalized soon" said the 44 year old Gracie.
He also touched on his weight:
"My weight is the same as it was twenty years ago [80kg], I am still training, keeping the blade sharp. I follow a very strict diet. I never drank, never party, Carnaval, none of that... I'm ready to fight"

If you're doing the math, 80kg is approximately 176lbs. Gracie could fight at either welterweight or middleweight or even more likely, catchweight.
Ordinarily I'd be very opposed to the idea of Gracie continuing to compete. His game is in no way prepared for MMA in 2011. He's long since past his expiration date as a competitive athlete and his last MMA fight in June of 2007 was marred by a lackluster performance followed by a positive test for steroid use. Gracie also never formally addressed the punishments handed down by the California State Athletic Commission, thereby making him likely ineligible to fight anywhere in the U.S. or North America.
But this is Brazil and this is very likely his retirement tour. As culpable as Gracie is for his own misconduct and slightly tarnished legacy, it wouldn't kill the UFC to allow one of MMA's foremost pioneers the opportunity to end his career on more favorable terms by granting him one last fight in his home country, the very country responsible for much of MMA's worldwide success.

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