The rumors were true. On the heels of UFC 134's breakthrough success, the UFC has confirmed a return to Brazil for UFC 142 on January 14th, 2012, according to reports by MMA Junkie. Promotion officials have yet to publicly announce the event or any potential match-ups related to the fight card.
According to the report, the site of UFC 134 -- Rio de Janeiro's 18,000-seat HSBC Arena -- has again been booked as a venue for UFC 142. The development is somewhat surprising given UFC President Dana White's adamant insistence that the promotion underestimated Brazilian interest for the August event, and would thus secure a larger arena in future trips.
Regardless, the news caps a big day for the Brazilian mixed martial arts scene after the UFC's prior announcements of a broadcast partnership with South American media giant Globo TV and the first international season of "The Ultimate Fighter" hitting the shores of Brazil.