UFC continues to fill out its late-year schedule with another event announcement.
The premier MMA promotion has a busy schedule in the latter stages of this year, with events in Australia, Canada, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, all practically back-to-back.
Fans might welcome this busier schedule, after the seemingly endless run of APEX events that have plagued recent years.
As announced by the UFC on July 31, the Octagon is returning to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a Fight Night event on October 11.
THE OCTAGON IS RETURNING TO RIO
— UFC (@ufc) July 31, 2025
Register your interest for #UFCRio here https://t.co/fOZNmKuv4y pic.twitter.com/gtDuoWe72c
Four fights have been confirmed reported for the event, but no major contests have been announced just yet.
One would expect a Brazilian headliner. Such names stand out as Mauricio Ruffy, Renato Moicano, Michael Morales, or Gilbert Burns. The most likely of which would be Ruffy or Morales, both of whom are undefeated in the ranks of the UFC.
As for opponents, Ruffy has been teasing a fight with Benoit Saint-Denis, and Morales has been champing at the bit for a shot at No. 4-ranked welterweight Leon Edwards. However, in terms of marketability, Ruffy and Burns stand out the most, especially considering Ruffy's knockout over King Green, and the appeal of a Burns' retirement send-off.
Who do you think headlines UFC Rio?
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