Without even completing the fights this weekend, the UFC has already tentatively scheduled a return to the country in August 2012. The location was decided after the Governor of Amazonas Omar Aziz met with UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta. Omar Aziz provided the following quote on the Government's website:
Imagine this whole contingent of people in the world knowing Manaus and the Amazon. It brings a great legacy to our city.
The governor is referring to the massive amount of MMA fans that the UFC has the ability to reach with a combination of their broadcasting deals. The plans for the show are to not hold it in an arena but outside in the area the city holds its yearly Carnival festival. There is also no word on if the card will be a PPV or a fight night, however to put things into perspective here is a picture of the planned location...
Judging from the sheer size of this location, the UFC must have some major plans for this card. The Sambodromo can hold up to 100,000 people which means the UFC anticipates a massive audience to break their attendance record. And if they can get that many Brazilians in one location? This could go down as one of the greatest atmospheres in combat sports history.
Manaus isn't the location in Brazil that many expected. Sao Paulo is the eight largest city in the world and would yield the greatest opportunity for a sell out crowd. The city also has three soccer stadiums. As the event grows near expect some major updates from Bloodyelbow.com.