Filho Likely to Face 'Ximu' May 14 in Brazil

Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro-based promotion Fatality Arena will return for its third card on May 14 at the Canto do Rio Football Club Gymnasium in its backyard. Sherdog.com has learned that the company is in the process of finalizing a main event between the embattled Filho and fellow middleweight veteran Gustavo Machado. Contracts have not been signed, but the bout has been agreed to in principle.

Brazilian outlet Tatame first reported the bout Tuesday, speaking with Machado.

Filho, 32, last saw action for Bitetti Combat in December, where he was able to grind out a unanimous decision verdict over Japanese journeyman Yuki Sasaki. Since his infamous and bizarre November 2008 loss to Chael Sonnen at WEC 36, "Paulao" has competed primarily on Brazil's local circuit.

Filho is already scheduled for two other bouts in the coming weeks, as he's slated to meet Peruvian Jackson Mora at World Fighting Combat "Pretorian" on March 19 in Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro, and on April 29 in Recife, Pernambuco, he is set to headline International Fighter Championship's inaugural card against 22-year-old rising light heavyweight prospect Ronny Markes.

The 35-year-old Machado has won eight of his last nine bouts, dating back to October 2007, his lone loss coming to middleweight prospect and former "The Ultimate Fighter" alum Jordan Smith. "Ximu" hasn't competed since last September, where he headlined Fatality Arena's second offering, defeating Argentina's Matias Ezequiel Lemon for the second time in a year.

Also slated for the May 14 card is a welterweight bout between Nogueira brothers training partner Andre Santos and Felipe Arinelli. "Chatuba," known for his outstanding anaconda choke, previously defeated Arinelli in April 2009 by split decision.