Report: Champion 'Cigano' Warmly Welcomed in Brazil Return

Junior dos Santos was greeted with a hero's welcome. | Photo: Victor Hugo Carvalho Leite/MidiaV7 Interactive

When asked by the local press to whom he would like to dedicate his win, 'Cigano' did not mince words, sharing his victory with the state he calls home.

“I dedicate this title to Bahia state. I was born in [the southern state of] Santa Catarina but was pretty welcomed here,” said dos Santos. “I feel my heart is from Bahia state, because it was here that I learned to fight.”

From the airport, dos Santos rode a firetruck through the streets of the state capital until he reached the office of the governor, Jaques Wagner, who received 'Cigano' and his trainer Luiz Dórea for almost an hour.

Upon his arrival in Brazil, 'Cigano' was impressed to learn about the considerable viewership his fight received during the live broadcast on Brazilian network Rede Globo (Globo).

Dos Santos' victory on Saturday night averaged a rating of 16.4, peaking at 18.3 and translating to a peak viewership of roughly 10 million people. By contrast, Sunday's soccer match between Grêmio and Palmeiras posted an average rating of 15.0, and the Formula-1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix earned a 9.0.

“It is good to know that we started in great style [by] beating soccer and also Formula 1,” said dos Santos.

Further proof of MMA's climb toward the Brazilian mainstream was Globo's use of Galvão Bueno to call UFC on Fox 1 alongside UFC middleweight Vitor Belfort. Bueno is one of Brazil's most renowned sports broadcasters, having announced many FIFA World Cup soccer matches as well as the Olympic Games.

Globo is expected to broadcast each of the UFC's trips to Brazil in 2012, which could number three or four in total. Brazil's largest network is also slated to air three events occurring outside of Brazil in the coming year, as well as a forthcoming Brazilian edition of “The Ultimate Fighter.”