Caio Magalhães in action / Photo: Carlos Ozório
Holding three belts in his undefeated, two-year career, Caio Magalhães is the latest UFC signee. The Jiu-Jitsu black belt, who this season snapped up the Rio Open title and a WPJJ berth by winning the tryouts in Natal, Brazil, will face Fabio Maldonado on January 14 at UFC 142.
The submission ace from Dragon Fight/Nova União shall step in for Stanislav Nedkov, who had visa woes and will be unable to make it. “I still can’t believe it. So much training, so much fighting—I am speechless,” he told GRACIEMAG.com with excitement.
The beast from Ceará, Brazil, who recently won the Shooto Brazil middleweight title, gave hints as to his game plan for his octagon debut: “I’ll do my game, take him down and show him Ceará Jiu-Jitsu’s might. I expect a lot of positive energy from Ceará.”
This Friday, another three fighters were confirmed for combat at the HSBC Arena. Carlos Prater steps in for an injured Siyar Bahadurzada, Ricardo Funch returns to the promotion in place of Paulo Thiago against Mike Pyle, while Gabriel Napão rejoins the fray against Ednaldo “Lula”. Check out the card:
UFC 142
HSBC Arena, Barra, Rio de Janeiro
January 14, 2012
José Aldo vs Chad Mendes
Vitor Belfort vs Anthony Johnson
Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares vs Mike Massenzio
Erick Silva vs Carlos Prater
Edson Barboza vs Terry Etim
Thiago Tavares vs Sam Stout
Mike Pyle vs Ricardo Funch
Yuri “Marajó” Alcântara vs Michirio Omigawa
Fabio Maldonado vs Caio Magalhães
Ednaldo “Lula” Oliveira vs Gabriel Napão
Felipe “Sertanejo” Arantes vs Antônio Carvalho