UFC is letting the fans create their own UFC: Rio card

Written by Team ME

Last updated on March 11th, 2011

This list is invalid. I don’t see Wallid Ismail as an option. Take it back, and then return when it has the original Gracie Killer on it. Still not there? I don’t want to see it. For the sake of clarity, I’ll still write this article and completely ignore the fact that one of the baddest Brazilian middleweights to ever grace the planet is not on this list.

According to TATAME, on UFC’s official Brazilian website, fans can choose between an army of Brazilian fighters to vote on who should be fighting at UFC: Rio on August 27th. Here’s the list offered by ZUFFA thus far.

Bantamweight:
Diego Nunes – Caxias do Sul (RS)
Rany Yahya – Brasília (DF)
Renan Barão – Rio Grande do Norte (RN)

Featherweight:
José Aldo – Manaus (AM)
Raphael Assumpção – Fortaleza (CE)

Lightweight:
Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira – São Paulo (SP)
Edson Barboza – Nova Friburgo (RJ)
Gleison Tibau – Tibau (RN)
Rafael dos Anjos – Rio de Janeiro (RJ) Thiago Tavares – Florianópolis (SC) Yuri Alcântara – Ilha de Marajó (PA)

Welterweight:
Carlos Eduardo “Tá Danado” Rocha – Cabedelo (PB)
Paulo Thiago – Brasília (DF)
Renzo Gracie – Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Thiago “Pitbull” Alves – Fortaleza (CE)

Middleweight:
Alexandre Ferreira “Cacareco” – Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Anderson Silva – São Paulo (SP)
Demian Maia – São Paulo (SP)
Jorge Santiago – Angra dos Reis (RJ)
Mário Miranda – Niterói (RJ)
Rafael “Sapo” Natal – Belo Horizonte (MG)
Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares – Dores do Indaiá (MG)
Thiago Silva – São Paulo (SP)
Vitor Belfort – Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Wanderlei Silva – Curitiba (PR

Light Heavyweight:
Fabio Maldonado – Sorocaba (SP)
Luiz “Banha” Cané – São Paulo (SP)
Lyoto Machida – Salvador (BA)
Maiquel Falcão – Pelotas (RS)
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua – Curitiba (PR)
Rogério “Minotouro” – Salvador (BA)

Heavyweight:
Junior “Cigano” dos Santos – Caçador (SC)
Rodrigo “Minotauro” – Salvador (BA)

Got to feel sorry for Raphael Assumpção since he’s the only guy going against Jose Aldo in the featherweight division. Not necessarily going ‘against’ him in a bout, more like a — popularity contest. [Source]