Sao Paulo Fight By Fight Preview

THIAGO SANTOS VS. ERYK ANDERS

There have been several changes to the main event headed to Brazil, but the final result is a showdown between two of the heaviest hitters on the entire UFC roster. Thiago Santos will meet Eryk Anders in a light heavyweight matchup that should bring plenty of action to Sao Paulo on Saturday night. Santos is best known for his jaw-dropping power, which he’s used to level eight of his past opponents inside the Octagon. Meanwhile, Anders is fresh off a stunning head kick knockout of his own in late August and now the former University of Alabama football player will step into his second UFC main event on just six days’ notice. Anders is no stranger to these kinds of high-pressure situations and this should be a barnburner for the main event. Expect a high pace and both fighters gunning for the knockout in Brazil.

ALEX OLIVEIRA VS. CARLO PEDERSOLI

Coming off a win over former interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit in his last fight, Alex Oliveira will fight at home in Brazil for the fifth time in his UFC career when he faces Carlo Pedersoli this weekend. Oliveira has won three of his past four fights while earning two Performance of the Night bonuses, as well as a Fight of the Night bonus, so you know he's going to bring the action. Pedersoli picked up a win in his UFC debut back in May and now the 11-1 welterweight will take a decided step up in competition as he faces off with the No. 14 ranked fighter in the world at 170 pounds.

SAM ALVEY VS. ANTONIO ROGERIO NOGUEIRA

Reborn at light heavyweight, Sam Alvey will look to build on his past two wins as he faces Brazilian legend Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in his backyard of Brazil. Alvey is best known for his heavy hands, with which he's earned more than a few knockouts during his UFC career. Lately, Alvey has looked better than ever since moving up to 205 pounds, and now he'll look for a signature win over one of the most established fighters in the history of the division. Nogueira has fought anyone and everyone with a name at light heavyweight while competing in both PRIDE and the UFC. Now, after nearly two years away, Nogueira will return with hopes of getting back in the win column when he takes on Alvey in Brazil.

RENAN BARAO VS. ANDRE EWELL

It wasn't all that long ago that Renan Barao was the class of the bantamweight division, but he's definitely fallen on harder times lately. Still, Barao taken on the best of the best at 135 pounds since first arriving in the WEC back in 2010, and to stave off a third loss in a row, Barao will have to go through Octagon rookie Andre Ewell, who comes to the UFC with an impressive resume, including an 8-1 record over his past nine fights. Ewell is nicknamed "Mr. Highlight," so it's safe to say that he'll look to live up to that reputation while attempting to pull off the upset against a former UFC champion in his debut.

RANDA MARKOS VS. MARINA RODRIGUEZ

Top 15-ranked strawweight Randa Markos will welcome undefeated Brazilian prospect Marina Rodriguez to the UFC in a very intriguing matchup at 115 pounds. Markos has struggled with consistency while bouncing back and forth between wins and losses in all nine of her UFC fights. Now the Canadian-based strawweight will attempt to hand Rodriguez her first defeat after making an impressive showing on Dana White's Contender Series. Rodriguez earned a first-round TKO to get the UFC's attention and now she'll look to build on that when she meets Markos in her debut fight.