A featherweight tilt between Antonio Carvalho (13-4) and Felipe Arantes (13-4) is the latest addition to UFC 142. According to reports from the Canadian Press, the both fighters have verbally agreed to meet at the January event. UFC officials have yet to confirm the bout.
A UFC newcomer, Carvalho intended to make his promotional debut at UFC 134 against Yuri Alcantara, but was forced to withdraw after sustaining an undisclosed injury. The 32-year-old carries a three-fight win streak into the cage, capped by a decision victory over Octagon veteran Doug Evans in June.
Meanwhile, Arantes, a 23-year-old prospect out of Sao Paulo, Brazil, hopes to rebound from a loss to Alcantara in his UFC debut, oddly suffered after stepping in as an injury replacement for Carvalho. The setback was the first in nine straight bouts for "Sertanejo", who credits ten of his thirteen wins by way of stoppage.
UFC 142 takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the HSBC Arena on January 14th. A featherweight bout between Brazilian champion Jose Aldo and American challenger Chad Mendes is the night's main event.
UFC 142 fight card:
Featherweight Championship: Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes
Middleweight: Anthony Johnson vs. Vitor Belfort
Lightweight: Terry Etim vs. Edson Barboza
Middleweight: Rousimar Palhares vs. Mike Massenzio
Lightweight: Thiago Tavares vs. Sam Stout
Welterweight: Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Erick Silva
Light Heavyweight: Stanislav Nedkov vs. Fabio Maldonado
Heavyweight: Edinaldo Oliveira vs. Rob Broughton
Featherweight: Antonio Carvalho vs. Felipe Arantes