Alcantara vs. Vinicius, Dias vs. Gamburyan targeted for May's UFC on FX 8 event

Two new fights have reportedly been added to this May’s UFC on FX 8 event in Brazil with bantamweights Yuri Alcantara (27-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) vs. Marcos Vinicius (20-4-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and featherweights Hacran Dias (21-1-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) vs. Manny Gamburyan (12-7 MMA, 3-5 UFC).

Brazilian media outlet SportTV.com first reported the new contests, though UFC executives have yet to make an official announcement.

UFC on FX 8 takes place May 18, likely at Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul. The event’s main card airs on FX following prelims on FUEL TV and Facebook.

Both new fights are expected to be a part of the evening’s preliminary card.

Alcantara returns to action after a bizarre UFC on FX 7 effort which saw “Marajo” apparently take a first-round TKO win over countryman Pedro Nobre. However, referee Dan Miragliotta deemed the blows illegal, and with Nobre apparently unable to continue the bout was ruled a no contest. He faces Vinicius, a cast member on “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” who earned a “Knockout of the Night” bonus in his UFC debut with a knockout of fellow cast member Wagner Campos. However, Vinicius then dropped to bantamweight for a December 2012 fight with Johnny Bedford. Unfortunately for Vinicius, he suffered a knockout loss in the contest.

Meanwhile, Dias makes his first appearance since winning a unanimous decision over Alcantara in June 2012. “Barnabe” was expected to face top 145-pounder Chad Mendes this past December forced Dias out of the fight and off the card. He now faces Gamburyan, who ironically was also supposed to fight Mendes in a scheduled February fight at UFC 157. Gamburyan was also injured in camp and forced to withdraw from the card. Gamburyan fought most recently at this past August’s UFC on FOX 4 event, where he earned a decision win over Michihiro Omigawa.

With the reported additions to the card, UFC on FX 8 now includes:

MAIN CARD (FX)

• Vitor Belfort vs. Luke Rockhold
• Constantinos Philippou vs. Ronaldo Souza
• C.B. Dollaway vs. Cezar Ferreira
• Rafael dos Anjos vs. Evan Dunham

PRELIMINARY CARD (FX and Facebook)

• Mike Rio vs. Francisco Trinaldo
• Lance Benoist vs. Paulo Thiago
• Azamat Gashimov vs. John Lineker
• Roger Hollett vs. Fabio Maldonado
• John Cholish vs. Gleison Tibau
• Chris Cariaso vs. Jussier Formiga*
• Yuri Alcantara vs. Marcos Vinicius*
• Hacran Dias vs. Manny Gamburyan*

* – Not officially announced

For the latest on UFC on FX 8, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Manny Gamburyan)