UFC Planning a Return to Brazil in Manaus for 2012

The UFC is about to hold its first event in Brazil since 1998 this Saturday with UFC 134 down in Rio de Janeiro.

Now, the UFC is targeting an event in 2012 in the city of Manaus—the capital city of the Brazilian state Amazonas.

The news of this targeted event came straight from Zuffa CEO Lorenzo Fertitta on Tuesday following a meeting between Fertitta, state Governor Omar Aziz, Frank Fertitta and United States Brazilian ambassador, Clifford Sobel. 

“The opportunity to bring the UFC to Manaus and to the home of some of our great fighters makes us so excited,” Fertitta said at the press conference. “Our expectation is that Manaus will set a new attendance record, with 100,000 people watching the show.”

If the UFC does go back to Brazil in 2012, it is expected to hold the event at the Convention Center of Manaus, which can hold up to 100,000 fans inside.

The UFC holding an event at the Convention Center could help the promotion shatter the live attendance record they set this year at UFC 129. The Rogers Centre in Toronto held 55,000 fans for UFC 129.

The idea of Manaus holding the next UFC in Brazil event is exciting according to Governor Aziz.

"Imagine all those people from all around the world getting to know Manaus and Amazonas,” said Governor Aziz. “This will build a huge legacy for our city. Jose Aldo and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza are two great fighters from here, and [the event] will bring more [fan] interest for us. Not long ago, Amazonas was the second-largest jiu-jitsu hot spot in Brazil. We hope to develop partnerships with businessmen and media vehicles to make the show a success."

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