The Ultimate Fighting Championship has confirmed several new bouts for UFC on FX 1 (UFC Fight Night 26) taking place Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. The event will mark the promotion’s first live fight card on FX, which is part of the UFC’s new seven year deal with FOX.
Eric Schafer vs. Jorge Rivera
Verbal agreements are in place for a middleweight match-up between 34-year-old BJJ black belt Eric “Red” Schafer (12-6-2) and 39-year-old longtime UFC veteran Jorge “El Conquistador” Rivera (18-9).
Schafer’s last win inside the Octagon took place in January 2009 when he scored a first round TKO win over Antonio Mendes at UFC 93 in Ireland. Following that, he dropped back-to-back unanimous decisions to Ryan Bader and Jason Brilz.
In September of this year, Schafer made a successful middleweight debut with a first round submission win over Chris Albandia at XFO 41 in Illinois. He then returned to the UFC in October, dropping a unanimous decision to Aaron Simpson at UFC 136 in Houston.
Rivera had a successful 2009-2010 by winning three straight fights, including TKO wins over Nate Quarry and Rob Kimmons. This year has not been as kind.
In February Rivera dropped a second round TKO to Michael Bisping at UFC 127, and then in August, he came out on the wrong end of a split decision against Constantinos Philippou at UFC 133.
Mike Brown vs. Vagner Rocha
Also confirmed for UFC on FX 1 is a 145 pound match-up between former WEC featherweight champ Mike Brown (25-8) vs. BJJ black belt Vagner Rocha (7-2), who is dropping down to 145 pounds for the first time.
Brown has gone 1-2 inside the Octagon since making the transition from the WEC to the UFC this year. He is coming off a unanimous decision win over Nam Phan at UFC 133 in August.
Rocha made his UFC debut in June, losing a unanimous decision to top featherweight contender Donald Cerrone. He bounced back in September with a second round submission win over Cody McKenzie at UFC Fight Night 25.
Reza Madadi vs. Rafaello Oliveira
Fighting out of Stockholm, Sweden, the Iranian born Reza “Mad Dog” Madadi (11-2) will make his UFC debut against BJJ black belt Rafaello “Tractor” Oliveira (14-5) in a lightweight bout.
Madadi is currently riding a six-fight win streak, most recently defeating Rich Clementi via unanimous decision in April at Superior Challenge 7 in Sweden. Just prior to that, Madadi had a unanimous decision win over Carlo Prater and a submission win over Junie Browning, both in 2010.
Following a 1-2 stint with the UFC in 2009-2010, Oliveira put together four straight wins outside the promotion. However, since returning to the Octagon in May of this year he has dropped a submission loss to Gleison Tibau at UFC 130 and a TKO loss to Yves Edwards at UFC on Versus 6.
Ryan Jimmo vs. Karlos Vemola
Finally, Canada’s Ryan “Big Deal” Jimmo (16-1) will make his UFC debut against Czech wrestling champion Karlos “The Terminator” Vemola (8-2) in a light heavyweight match-up.
Jimmo was the reigning MFC light heavyweight champ and has won his last 16 fights in a row. His only career loss was in his pro debut back in 2007.
Vemola has gone 1-2 inside the Octagon since signing with the UFC last year. He won “knockout of the night” in his first round win over Seth Petruzelli at UFC 122 in November 2010.
UFC on FX 1 will be headlined with a lightweight bout between Melvin Guillard vs. Jim Miller. For the complete fight card line-up as it stands, see ProMMAnow.com’s Upcoming Events page.