UFC new hire Caio Magalhães will take on Fabio Maldonado on the coming 14th of January at UFC 142 in Rio, in place of undefeated Bulgarian Stanislav Nedkov, who ran into visa troubles and had to pull out from the show.
And “Monster” from the Brazilian state of Ceará plans to be on par with the man he is substituting, to remain in the UFC ranks. The talented black belt (this year he captured titles at the IBJJF Rio Open, as well as a berth at the Abu Dhabi WPJJ) traveled from Fortaleza to Rio de Janeiro this Tuesday to intensify his training.
At Nova União headquarters, in the Flamengo neighborhood in Rio, Caio will be brushing up on his Thai boxing and tactics alongside José Aldo, Coach André Pederneiras and the rest of the rugged crew on the team. GRACIEMAG.com caught up with Magalhães at his last training session in Fortaleza, where Caio showed signs of being ready both standing and on the ground, even with Maldonado having some of the heaviest hands in the UFC. What do you think, dear reader, who takes it?
UFC 142
HSBC Arena, Barra, Rio de Janeiro
January 14, 2012
José Aldo vs Chad Mendes
Vitor Belfort vs Anthony Johnson
Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares vs Mike Massenzio
Erick Silva vs Carlos Prater
Edson Barboza vs Terry Etim
Thiago Tavares vs Sam Stout
Mike Pyle vs Ricardo Funch
Yuri “Marajó” Alcântara vs Michirio Omigawa
Fabio Maldonado vs Caio Magalhães
Ednaldo “Lula” Oliveira vs Gabriel Napão
Felipe “Sertanejo” Arantes vs Antônio Carvalho
