Homefield Advantage | UFC Rio

The Scoop: Does "Do Bronxs" have one more run at the title in him? That's the big question as he prepares to headline on home soil. His original opponent has switched from Rafael Fiziev – a striker– to Mateusz Gamrot – a grappler. Oliveira is the most prolific submission finisher in UFC history, but he may have to call upon his defensive grappling skills against the relentless Gamrot this weekend if he's to have his hand raised on home soil.

REALTED: Oliveira's Magic

Deiveson Figueiredo

Division: Bantamweight

Birthplace: Soure, Para, Brazil

Professional Record: 24-5-1

Streak: Won three of last five (on a two-fight skid)

The Scoop: He's been one of the UFC's most exciting Brazilian fighters for years, but Saturday represents a pivotal bout in the career of "The God of War". After successive defeats to Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen, Figueiredo has been tasked with the job of defending his top-10 ranking against the surging Montel Jackson, who arrives in Rio on a six-fight win streak. Victory will keep Figueiredo in the mix at the sharp end of the division. Defeat could see him fall out of the top 10.

Saturday's Full Fight Card Preview

Vicente Luque

Division: Welterweight

Fighting Out Of: Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil

Professional Record: 23-11-1

Streak: 2-2 from his last four

The Scoop: Former kickboxer Diniz has made a smooth transition into MMA, and after earning his spot in the UFC via Dana White's Contender Series, he's notched three wins from his first four UFC appearances. Now he's set to welcome another dangerous newcomer to the division. Fellow Contender Series graduate Mario Pinto is unbeaten and claimed a knockout win on his Octagon debut. Both men are heavy-handed knockout artists, and both will be going for the finish in what should be an entertaining heavyweight battle. Diniz will be hoping his slight edge in UFC experience, plus homefield advantage, will help him to victory so he can start hunting some of the division's big names in his next few fights. 

Ricardo Ramos

Division: Featherweight

Birthplace: Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

Professional Record: 17-7

Streak: Lost three of last four

The Scoop: Nova Uniao ace Filho has 15 finishes from his 16 career wins, with 10 of them coming by submission. Lined up against The MMA Lab’s Clayton Carpenter, he’ll face someone equally as happy to take things to the mat. Filho lost a decision to Allan Nascimento last time out, but prior to that defeat, he claimed back-to-back first-round submission wins over Ode Osbourne and Daniel Barez. “Pastor” will be keen to add another submission to his resumé on home soil this weekend.

RELATED: Changes Paying Off For Ramos

Vitor Petrino

Division: Heavyweight

Birthplace: Minas Gerais, Brazil

Professional Record: 12-2-0

Streak: 2-2 from last four

The Scoop: After ascending to the very top of the world of submission grappling, Beatriz “Bia” Mesquita has switched her attention to MMA in search of more tests. She’s already raced to a 5-0 record, has a 100 percent finish rate, and captured the LFA women’s bantamweight title. Now she’s in the UFC and has already raced to a 5-0 record as a pro. On Saturday, she’ll make her Octagon debut against Irina Alekseeva, who goes by the moniker of “Russian Ronda”.

RELATED: Mesquita No Ordinary Newcomer

Lucas Rocha

Division: Flyweight

Birthplace: Coari, Amazonas, Brazil

Professional Record: 17-2-0

Streak: Won six of his last seven