UFC 283, the promotion’s return to Brazil and first Pay-Per-View of 2023, has undergone a slight change.
With Brad Tavares injured, Bruno Ferreira is stepping up to face Gregory Rodrigues at the event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on January 21, 2023.
MMA Fighting was first to report news of the match-up, which “Robocop” Rodrigues himself confirmed on social media.
Thanks to his tendency to have incredibly violent fights, plus his overall good-natured personality, Rodrigues (13-4) has become one of the fastest-growing stars of the 185lb division. He went 2-1 in 2022, losing a split decision against Armen Petrosyan before picking up a pair of post-fight bonuses for wins against Julian Marquez and Chidi Njokuani.
Overall, Rodrigues, a former LFA champ, is 4-1 inside the octagon to date.
With Tavares out due to a possible injury, it’s now fellow Brazilian Brunno Ferreira who will step up on just over a week’s notice.
Ferreira (9-0) will be making his promotional debut in the fight, after earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last year. That came care of a knockout win against Leon Aliu.
UFC 283 takes place on January 21, 2023 at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio and will feature two title fights, including the fourth meeting between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno, plus Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill for the vacant light heavyweight championship.
The following match-ups have been reported for the event:
- Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill – for the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship
- Deiveson Figueiredo (c) vs. Brandon Moreno (ic) – for the UFC flyweight championship / title unification bout
- Gilbert Burns vs. Neil Magny
- Jéssica Andrade vs. Lauren Murphy
- Paul Craig vs. Johnny Walker
- Maurício Rua vs. Ihor Potieria
- Thiago Moisés vs. Melquizael Costa
- Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Jailton Almeida
- Mounir Lazzez vs. Gabriel Bonfim
- Luan Lacerda vs. Cody Stamann
- Terrance McKinney vs. Ismael Bonfim
- Warlley Alves vs. Nicolas Dalby
- Josiane Nunes vs. Zarah Fairn Dos Santos
- Saimon Oliveira vs. Daniel Marcos
- Gregory Rodrigues vs. Brunno Ferreira
