Fighters make weight and confirm title fights at UFC Rio

Everything is ready for the UFC Rio show, which takes place this Saturday (21), at the Jeunesse Arena, in Rio de Janeiro, and marks the return of the North American organization to Brazil after almost three years. This Friday (20), at the official weigh-in, Glover Teixeira and Deiveson Figueiredo passed the scales without fear and confirmed their respective fights for the light heavyweight (up to 93kg) and flyweight (up to 56.7kg) titles, against Jamahal Hill and Brandon Moreno.

At the height of his 43 years, Glover Teixeira was one of the first to appear on the scale, and calmly registered 92.9kg. His opponent, the American Jamahal Hill, weighed even lighter, scoring 92.7kg. The Brazilian, it is worth noting, will try to regain the light heavyweight belt at UFC Rio. The title was already in his possession until June of last year, when he was defeated by Jiri Prochazka.

Already in the fight for the flyweight title, Deiveson Figueiredo appeared smiling and joking with the journalists present. Also without scares, the Brazilian, current holder of the linear belt in the category, weighed 56.7kg. First to show up for the UFC Rio weigh-in, Brandon Moreno, like his rival, registered 56.7kg.

Reserve fighters for the title shots at UFC Rio, Alexandre Pantoja and Anthony Smith also appeared at the official weigh-in. The Brazilian weighed 56.7kg and will be ready to go into action if there is any problem with Deiveson Figueiredo or Brandon Moreno. On the other hand, Smith was unable to secure his place as an alternate, given that he weighed 94.8kg, about 1.8kg above the established limit for belt disputes in the light heavyweight division.

Other athletes on the main card are also confirmed for UFC Rio after hitting weight in their respective divisions. Gilbert Durinho (77.1kg), Jéssica Bate-Estaca (56.6kg) and Johnny Walker (92.9kg) confirmed their respective fights against Neil Magny, Lauren Murphy and Paul Craig. Mauricio Shogun, who will have his farewell fight in MMA, also made weight with ease, showing 92.9kg, and is confirmed for the duel against Ihor Potieria.

UFC 283

Jeunesse Arena, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

Saturday, January 21, 2023

Main card (00h, Brasilia time)

Light Heavyweight: Glover Teixeira (92.9kg) vs Jamahal Hill (92.7kg)

Flyweight: Deiveson Figueiredo (56.6kg) vs Brandon Moreno (56.6kg)

Welterweight: Gilbert Durinho (77.1kg) vs Neil Magny (77.5kg)

Flyweight: Jessica Bate-Estaca (56.6kg) vs Lauren Murphy (56.9kg)

Light Heavyweight: Johnny Walker (92.9kg) vs Paul Craig (92.9kg)

Preliminary card (20h, Brasilia time)

Light heavyweight: Mauricio Shogun (92.9kg) vs. Ihor Potieria (92.9kg)

Middleweight: Gregory Robocop (84.3kg) vs Brunno Hulk (83.9kg)

Lightweight: Thiago Moisés (70.5kg) vs Melquizael Costa (70.3kg)

Welterweight: Gabriel Marretinha (77.5kg) vs Mounir Lazzez (77.3kg)

Heavyweight: Shamil Abdurakhimov (119.2kg) vs Jailton Almeida (105.2kg)

Lightweight: Ismael Marreta (70.7kg) x Terrance McKinney (70.7kg)

Welterweight: Warlley Alves (77.5kg) vs Nicolas Dalby (77.1kg)

Featherweight: Josiane Nunes (65.9kg) x Zarah Fairn (66.2kg)

Bantamweight: Luan Lacerda (61.6kg) vs Cody Stamann (61.4kg)

Bantamweight: Daniel Marcos (61.6kg) vs Saimon Oliveira (61.6kg)