Abu Dhabi is about to be introduced to "Big Country."
Sources with knowledge of the situation told MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani that Roy "Big Country" Nelson will meet former PRIDE and UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in Abu Dhabi in the main event of an April 11 card, as the UFC makes its return to the United Arab Emirates.
Nelson (19-9), a Las Vegas native who made headlines recently by applying for the vacant Nevada Athletic Commission executive director opening, takes a two-fight losing streak into the bout, as he dropped decisions to Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic.
Nogueira (34-8-1, 1 NC) last fought in June, when he was submitted in the second round of a fight against Fabricio Werdum. Dating back to his 2008 submission win over Tim Sylvia to claim the UFC interim belt, Nogueira has been in a won one/lose one pattern over eight fights.
The card, which is expected to be UFC Fight Night 39, will be held at a location to be determined. It will be the UFC's first in the UAE since UFC 112, where Frankie Edgar defeated B.J. Penn to win the lightweight title.