Credit: MMANews.com

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s long awaited return to Brazil is taking shape fast, and while we’re still left without a Gracie booked for the event, there are some extremely compelling collisions now official for the event.

In addition to the expected title bout between Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami, bouts pitting Mauricio “Shogun” Rua against Forrest Griffin and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira versus Brendan Schaub are now officially confirmed.

Also slated to appear at “UFC Rio” is surging prospect Edson Mendes Barboza Jr., who tangles with “The Ultimate Fighter” season nine winner Ross Pearson, and Luiz “Banha” Cane, who is set to toe-the-line with the undefeated wrestler and UFC neophyte, Stanislav Nedkov.

In addition to the heavily praised Nedkov, Brazilian prospect Erick Silva will make his promotional debut when he meets Mike Swick (who hasn’t competed since February of last year) in an intriguing welterweight clash.

Official Bouts:

-Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami
-Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Forrest Griffin
-Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Brendan Schaub
-Ross Pearson vs. Edson Mendes Barboza Jr.
-Luiz Cane vs. Stanislav Nedkov
-Thiago Tavares vs. Spencer Fisher
-Paulo Thiago vs. David Mitchell
-Mike Swick vs. Erick Silva

Rumored Bouts:

-Rousimar Palhares vs. Alexandre Ferreira
-Yuri Alcantara vs. Antonio Carvalho
-Ian Loveland vs. Yves Jabouin