UFC 283 set for Rio de Janeiro on Jan. 21

The UFC will return to Brazil for the first time since March 2020.

The Las Vegas-based promotion announced on Wednesday that UFC 283 will take place at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro on Jan. 21. It will be the UFC’s 38th event in the South American country and marks the first card there since UFC Fight Night 170 on March 14, 2020, which marked the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

No bouts were revealed for the upcoming event.

Additionally, the promotion announced that UFC Fight Pass, along with Band TV network, will be the broadcast home in Brazil for all UFC events. The streaming service will launch in Brazil on Jan. 1 and includes 12 free events annually on Band. All other UFC events will air in the country via Fight Pass. The UFC’s existing broadcast deal with Globo is set to expire at the end of 2022.

“Anyone who follows this sport knows how important Brazil is to mixed martial arts and to UFC,” UFC president Dana White stated. “Brazil is one of our biggest and fastest growing markets and has produced some of the best athletes this sport has ever seen. Fight Pass is going to take our business to the next level by delivering all our content directly to our fans. Plus, we’re teaming up with Band, one of the biggest broadcasters in Brazil, which is going to provide massive exposure for UFC and help us grow our fan base and make this sport bigger than ever.”