The poster for "Ultimate Brazil" caused controversy because the Brazilian flag was wrongly represented. The flag is missing one lone star in the top half of the blue circle to represent the city of Brasilia.

On Oct. 16, 1998, the Ultimate Fighting Championship held its one and only show in Brazil with “Ultimate Brazil” at the Ginasio da Portuguesa in Sao Paulo. The event marked the UFC debut of both Wanderlei Silva and Pedro Rizzo. Other fighters on the card included Frank Shamrock, Tank Abbott, Vitor Belfort and Pat Miletich.

According to a Monday report from GracieMag.com, the UFC plans to return to Brazil in Nov. 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Barra da Tijunca, Rio de Janeiro. According to the report, UFC President Dana White was in the country some months ago and approved the location.

Evidently the arena is a well known location for sporting events, and concerts by bands such as Green Day, Bob Dylan and R.E.M. have all been held there.

The amount of events the UFC holds in countries outside the United States continues to grow with each passing year. In 2009, the UFC held events in Ireland, England (2), Canada and Germany, for a total of five shows outside the U.S. In 2010, the UFC held events in Australia, Abu Dhabi, Canada (3), England and Germany, for a total of seven shows outside the U.S..

For 2011, events in Ireland, Abu Dhabi, Canada and Brazil are already tentatively scheduled. This is all part of the UFC’s master plan for global expansion and to create the most popular sport in the world. With their eyes set also on countries like China and India, the growth potential of MMA is absolutely mind-boggling.

One of the best things about it for us, is that ProMMAnow.com will be right there every step of the way to not only experience it, but share in that experience with you, our readers.

NOTE: It was first reported back in July of the UFC’s rumored return to Brazil in 2011, but now we know the location and month. Also included in that original report were plans for an all-Brazilian version of The Ultimate Fighter.

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