The UFC has officially announced another event for Brazil in 2013 as the promotion will head to the city of Barueri for the first time for UFC Fight Night 29 on October 9th and the card will be headlined by a welterweight bout as Demian Maia meets Jake Shields.
The UFC made the event official today in a press release on Tuesday and the event will take place at the Jose Correa Arena in Barueri, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The fight card will air in the United States on Fox Sports 1 with the preliminary card beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET and the main card starting at 8 p.m. ET.
Tickets for the fight card will go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. BRT at www.ticketsforfun.com.br and are priced at R$950, $750, $350 and $150.
Maia (18-4) is currently the number four welterweight in the UFC media rankings and has won three straight fights since dropping down to the welterweight division. He most recent win came at the beginning of the year against Jon Fitch and is excited about being in the main event of a UFC fight card in Brazil.
“I am very happy and proud to be the main event,” said Maia. “I’ve always wanted to fight for the UFC in São Paulo, were I was born and raised. I have a special connection with the Jose Correa arena in Barueri, where I had my first major MMA milestone in 2006. My big goal is to get a title shot and become world champion. I know Jake Shields is a great opponent, with wins over names such as Dan Henderson and Carlos Condit, and beating him is sure to get me within title contention.”
Shields (28-6-1, 1NC) recently returned to the UFC welterweight and defeated Tyron Woodley by split decision at UFC 161 in June. He will look to jump up in the UFC welterweight rankings with a win against Maia.
“The Brazilian audience is intimidating and enthusiastic, and it makes for an excellent atmosphere,” said Jake Shields. “But once I get in the Octagon, I’ll be focused and ready. Fighting Demian on his home turf will not be an issue. His strengths are obvious: he’s the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu martial artist in my division. His weakness is his standup. I want to beat him at what he’s best at.”
The current UFC Fight Night 29: Maia vs. Shields card is below and stay tuned to TheMMAReport.com for updates on this upcoming UFC fight card in Brazil.
Demian Maia (18-4) vs. Jake Shields (28-6-1, 1NC)
Erick Silva (15-3) vs. Dong Hyun Kim (17-2-1, 1NC)
Rony Jason (13-3) vs. Jeremy Stephens (21-9)
Thiago Silva (15-3, 2NC) vs. Matt Hamill (11-4)
Fábio Maldonado (19-6) vs. Joey Beltran (14-8, 1NC)
Raphael Assunção (20-4) vs. TJ Dillashaw (8-1)
Hacran Dias (21-2-1) vs. Rodrigo Damm (11-6)
Iliarde Santos (27-8-1) vs. Chris Cariaso (14-5)