UFC Targeting Return To Brazil For Possible Stadium Show In May

With UFC 143 set in stone for Rio de Janeiro on January 14th, UFC officials have turned their gaze to the next South American venture.

Following the conclusion of UFC 140 on Saturday night, UFC President Dana White revealed the promotion's plans for a follow-up show in Brazil for mid-2012.

"How many events are we going to do in Brazil next year?" White mused to MMA Weekly when asked about recent rumors. "Right now, what I know, we've got two coming up. We're going to do Rio and probably another one in May."

According to reports, the latest announcement is likely to fulfill White's promise of bringing a stadium show to Brazil. Officials last booked a stadium for UFC 129, and the move paid off as 55,724 Canadian fans packed Toronto's Rogers Centre to shatter previous attendance records.

No headliner has been discussed at this point, though the tentative date fits in perfectly with Anderson Silva's anticipated return. The popular Brazilian middleweight champion is currently recovering from shoulder surgery and a rematch with arch-rival Chael Sonnen could undoubtedly foot the stadium billing, provided Sonnen gets past Mark Munoz at UFC on Fox 2.

In past months, White has been coy when asked about a major summer card headlined by Silva in Sau Paulo.

"How's this stuff get out," a surprised White exclaimed at the UFC 139 post-fight press conference. "It might be. What happens is, (the media) gets all this sneaky (news) and then I say stuff at the press conference and my whole crew goes, ‘What are you doing? We didn't say anything yet!'

"I don't know. I don't know if we're going to Sau Paulo in (the summer), and if Anderson Silva is headlining the card. Have no clue," he slyly concluded. "That would be awesome though."