UFC bantamweight Raphael Assuncao inks new four-fight deal

UFC bantamweight contender Raphael Assuncao (18-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has signed a new four-fight deal with MMA’s largest promotion.

The Brazilian recently announced the deal via Twitter, and MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) subsequently confirmed the contract with sources close to the promotion.

“New UFC 4 fight deal contract under way,” Assuncao wrote.

Assuncao is currently ranked at No. 9 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com bantamweight rankings after putting together consecutive wins over Mike Easton, Issei Tamura and Johnny Eduardo at 135 pounds.

That run followed a disappointing 1-3 stretch while competing at 145 pounds in one bout for the UFC and three for the now-defunct WEC promotion. Overall, Assuncao is 6-3 in his nine total fights for Zuffa-owned promotions.

The 30-year-old Assuncao fought most recently in December during an impressive unanimous-decision win over Easton but suffered a broken arm and was forced to the sidelines. Still, he teased that a new booking should be released soon.

“Can’t wait to fight again!” Assuncao wrote on Twitter. “Got some news coming up shortly!”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.