MMA: Rampage in Japan, Aoki on NYE, Alves-Kampmann and the Week's Biggest News

Coming off the heels of one of the most exciting weekends in recent history, the MMA world was filled this past week with fight announcements for the coming months.

Most notably, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson got his wish to return Japan. The one-time Pride star will battle Ryan Bader in January.

Elsewhere in Japan, DREAM lightweight kingpin Shinya Aoki will return to action on New Year's Eve against former Sengoku champ Satoru Kitaoka.

Additionally, an explosive welterweight battle between striking specialists Thiago Alves and Martin Kampmann is rumored, as well as a number of updates to upcoming events.

Rob Tatum is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at TheMMACorner.com.  For anything related to MMA, you can follow Rob on Twitter  @RobTatumMMA.

“Rampage” Gets His Wish, Fights Ryan Bader in Japan

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson wanted to fight in Japan, and despite early indications that it would not happen, it appears that Jackson will get his wish. UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta revealed the news.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion will meet Ryan Bader at UFC 144 on Feb. 26.  

The event takes place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan and is headlined by a lightweight title fight between champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Benson Henderson.

Shinya Aoki to Face Satoru Kitaoka on New Year’s Eve

Shinya Aoki will defend his DREAM lightweight belt on New Year’s Eve.

His challenger will be former Sengoku lightweight title holder Satoru Kitaoka.  

The title bout is currently slated to be the main event for the card.

Thiago Alves vs. Martin Kampmann Targeted for UFC Event on March 3

A bout between Brazilian Muay Thai practitioner Thiago Alves and Danish striker Martin Kampmann is rumored for a yet-to-be-announced event on March 3.

Alves hinted at the matchup on his personal Twitter account, but Kampmann was quick to refute it by saying that nothing was set in stone just yet.

The event has been rumored to be a UFC on Fox show, but no details are available at this time.

UFC 142 Fight Card Updates

The UFC's return to Brazil on Jan. 14 has added two more bouts.

Welterweights Paulo Thiago and Mike Pyle will lock horns on the card. Thiago was last in action at UFC 134 in the same arena, while Pyle was dispatched by Rory MacDonald in August.

Also slated for the Rio de Janeiro event is a featherweight tilt between Brazilian Yuri Alcantara and Japanese veteran Michihiro Omigawa.

The event takes place from the HSBC Arena and is headlined by a featherweight title bout between champion Jose Aldo and challenger Chad Mendes.

UFC on FX 1 Fight Card Updates

The UFC's first event on the FX network has added a trio of lightweights to the card.

Former WEC fighter Kamal Shalorus will return to action for the first time since UFC 128 to welcome undefeated Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov to the Octagon.

Additionally, top Swedish lightweight Reza Madadi is expected to make his promotional debut on the card. While no opponent has been announced, it is possible that he will face Rafaello Oliveira.

UFC FX 1 takes place Jan. 20 in Nashville, Tenn.

Demetrious Johnson vs. Eddie Wineland on Deck for UFC on Fox 2

Recent bantamweight title contender Demetrious Johnson will return to action against former WEC champ Eddie Wineland at UFC on Fox 2 on Jan. 28.

Verbal agreements are in place for the bout.

The event is expected to take place from the United Center in Chicago.

UFC 144 Fight Card Updates

The card for the UFC's return to Japan is filling up quickly.

Heavyweights Cheick Kongo and Mark Hunt have verbally agreed to meet on the Feb. 26 card.

Also on tap is an important featherweight bout between Japanese fighter Hatsu Hioki and Bart Palaszewski.

Bantamweights Takeya Mizugaki and Chris Cariaso will lock horns on the preliminary card of the event.

Finally, middleweights Steve Cantwell and Riki Fukuda will face one another on the card.

UFC 144 will take place from the Saitama Super Arena and will be headlined by a lightweight title bout between champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Benson Henderson.

Falcao Suffers Heart Attack

Current Bellator fighter and UFC veteran Maiquel Falcao suffered a heart attack in his native Brazil. 

Last month, the 30-year-old earned a first-round TKO victory over Douglas del Rio, which led to the contract with Bellator. 

The middleweight is currently in intensive care at the Santa Casa de Pelotas hospital in Brazil and is improving according to reports.

Kendall Grove vs. Minowaman Rumored for ProElite 3

Rumors are swirling that former winner of The Ultimate Fighter Kendall Grove will return to action on Jan. 21 in his native Hawaii.

His opponent is likely to be Japanese veteran Ikuhisa Minowa.

The two middleweight fighters are likely to collide at ProElite 3 in Honolulu.

Devin Cole vs. Gabriel Salinas-Jones Tabbed for Next Strikeforce Event

Heavyweights Devin Cole and Gabriel Salinas-Jones have verbally agreed to square off on Dec. 17.

The fight is slated for the undercard of the “Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal” event.

The Valley View Casino Center in San Diego is host to the event, which airs live on Showtime.