Dana White celebrating post UFC Rio 134, in August / Photo: Gustavo Aragão
As GRACIEMAG.com predicted last Wednesday, there will be a second UFC show in store for Rio de Janeiro in 2012, at year’s end, as well as a major event in São Paulo.
At the launch of his sports marketing powerhouse IMX, a joint venture between his EBX conglomerate and IMG Worldwide, yesterday in Rio de Janeiro, Eike Batista and his associates confirmed that a deal has been sealed to hold three UFC events in Brazil in 2012 – two in Rio and one in São Paulo. At the pre-UFC 140 press conference, Dana White stated that the June São Paulo event may be held at a major soccer stadium, with a card that will draw the masses.
“It’s the company I’m going to have the most fun with,” Brazilian billionaire Batista is quoted by “O Globo” newspaper as saying, in an article signed by Ary Cunha and Mariana Durão. The new company, of which the launch was attended by American businessmen Michael Dolan and Alan Adler, has issued statements saying it will produce 58 sporting events in the country in 2012 alone, 80% of which will be held in Brazil.
The first UFC of 2012 on Brazilian soil will be in Rio deJaneiro on January 14, with José Aldo defending his title against Chad Mendes a a main event.
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