Another Brazilian fighter has joined the card of UFC 142. According to promotion officials, Thiago Tavares (16-4-1) has been booked for a lightweight tilt with Canadian veteran Sam Stout (17-6-1) at the UFC's return trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Officials confirmed the announcement on Tuesday morning.
Tavares, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt fighting out of Brazilian Top Team, is known for an aggressive style that has resulted in three "Fight of the Night" bonuses since entering the promotion in 2007. The 27-year-old has won three of his last five bouts, including a second-round TKO of Spencer Fisher at the UFC's Rio de Janeiro debut in August.
Stout, a three-time "Fight of the Night" winner himself, reemerges for the first time since the tragic passing of his brother-in-law, renown mixed martial arts trainer Shawn Tompkins. "Hands of Stone" now looks to extend a two-fight win streak capped by a devastating first-round knockout of Yves Edwards that earned "Knockout of the Night" honors at UFC 131.
UFC 142 takes place January 14th at Rio de Janeiro's HSBC Arena. A featherweight title bout between Brazilian champion Jose Aldo and American challenger Chad Mendes headlines the card.
UFC 142 fight card:
Featherweight Championship: Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes
Middleweight: Anthony Johnson vs. Vitor Belfort
Lightweight: Thiago Tavares vs. Sam Stout