The co-main event is set for the UFC’s February return to Brazil.
Edson Barboza (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) will meet Michael Johnson (15-8 MMA, 7-4 UFC) in a lightweight bout at UFC Fight Night 61. UFC officials announced the new matchup today.
Featuring a light heavyweight matchup between Rashad Evans and Glover Teixeira, UFC Fight Night 61 takes place Sunday, Feb. 22, at Gigantinho Gymnasium in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
The main card is expected to air on FOX Sports 1 following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass, though official broadcast plans have not yet been revealed.
Barboza, from Brazil, has won five of his past six fights. After a big upset loss to Jamie Varner at UFC 146 in May 2012, the first setback of his career, Barboza won three straight fights before a first-round submission loss to Donald Cerrone in April. But since then, he has bounced back with a first-round TKO of Evan Dunham, then a decision win over Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night 57 in November.
Johnson has won three straight since back-to-back losses to Myles Jury and Reza Madadi. In August 2013, he took a unanimous decision from Joe Lauzon in Boston, upsetting the home favorite. At UFC 168 a year ago, he knocked out Gleison Tibau in the second round. He had just one fight in 2014, but it was a big one – a unanimous decision win over Melvin Guillard in London. He was expected to return in July at UFC on FOX 12, but two weeks before the fight he had to pull out with an injury.
With the addition to the card, UFC Fight Night 61 now includes:
For more on UFC Fight Night 61, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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