Vitor Belfort and Luke Rockhold Headline UFC on FX 8 in New Brazilian Local for UFC

UFC president Dana White on Wednesday confirmed that Vitor Belfort and Luke Rockhold have agreed to fight, headlining an upcoming event in Brazil, although he didn’t give an exact date or location at the time.

Just 24 hours later, MMAWeekly.com has confirmed that the two will headline UFC on FX 8 on May 18. The bout was first reported by Tatame.com.

Belfort vs. Rockhold will take place at Arena Jaraguá in Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil, which is a new location for the promotion.

The UFC returned to Brazil for the first time in more than a decade with UFC 134 in August of 2011. The success that they’ve had in Brazil since that event has been nothing short of amazing, leading White to declare it the new mecca of MMA, at least in regards to the UFC.

The promotion has jumped on the opportunity in Brazil, which has one of the largest rebounding economies in the world, quickly developing The Ultimate Fighter Brazil, and adding more and more events to its schedule there.

TUF Brazil is now in its second season, and the expansion effort continues.

UFC on FX 8 is just the latest event headed to Brazil, but marks back-to-back shows there with Belfort headlining. He is coming off of a stunning knockout victory over Michael Bisping at UFC on FX 7 in January.

The bout between he and Rockhold should put the winner on the short list of Anderson Silva contenders.

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