UFC's Rio Event Not Without Challenges, but End Result Is Smashing Success

could probably fight his whole career and never again walk out to the kind of ovation that he got from the same Brazilian crowd that would be booing him moments later.

event usually enter to a mostly empty arena and an indifferent crowd. In Rio, the HSBC Arena was packed to the rafters well before the first entrance song blared over the speakers, and fans erupted in cheers as soon as they got a look at the night's first fighter, which just happened to be Loveland.

Then, during the introductions, it sunk in for them that Loveland was American, and the boos came raining down. Such was the double-edged sword of the passionate Brazilian crowd for UFC 134, which UFC president Dana White dubbed "the loudest crowd ever."

"The first fight of the night sounded like a title fight," White said, adding, "We might be here every weekend. It was a successful event before it even happened."

did when he entered to the Jimi Hendrix "Star-Spangled Banner" intro portion of U2's "Bullet the Blue Sky", was embrace the hate.

-- a soldier for the BOPE special forces squad in Brazil -- entered a few moments later to the theme from Elite Squad, a popular Brazilian film about BOPE, the boos quickly turned into the kind of raucous cheers Thiago never hears for his fights in the U.S.

, thus silencing the crowd for a few shocked seconds) on a fight card that was essentially Brazil versus the world, it doesn't seem like a little hometown love hurt anyone's chances on Saturday.

They cheered. They chanted. They sang songs that, at least according to my bilingual seatmates, were sometimes profane, sometimes funny, and sometimes just downright weird (naturally, several Americans were also warned that they were about to die, and no one seemed to think this was a strange thing to chant in unison at a professional fight).

But though the crowd was among the most vocal and inspired the UFC has ever had, putting on an event in Rio wasn't without its challenges. Earlier in the week rumors surfaced that the UFC had run into problems with the venue, that it was understaffed and required the promotion to provide everything from electricity to security, putting the set-up dangerously behind schedule at one point.

Grid View

• UFC 134 Photos

  Erick Silva celebrates his first-round TKO over Luis Ramos at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Erick Silva shows his excitement with his first-round TKO over Luis Ramos at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Braz

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Erick Silva chases after Luis Ramos at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Braz

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Erick Silva drops Luis Ramos with a right hand at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Braz

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Yuri Alcantara beats Felipe Arantes via unanimous decision at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Felipe Arantes tries a leglock on Yuri Alcantara at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Yuri Alcantara kicks Felipe Arantes via unanimous decision at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Yves Jabouin def. Ian Loveland via split decision at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Ian Loveland punches Yves Jabouin at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Yves Jabouin kicks Ian Loveland at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Yves Jabouin punches Ian Loveland via split decision at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Ian Loveland kicks/knees Yves Jabouin at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Paulo Thiago def. David Mitchell via unanimous decision at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Paulo Thiago tries to submit David Mitchell in the final seconds of their fight at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Paulo Thiago def. David Mitchell via unanimous decision at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Raphael Assuncao def. Johnny Eduardo by unanimous decision at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Raphael Assuncao (left) trades punches with Johnny Eduardo at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Raphael Assuncao (left) trades punches with Johnny Eduardo at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Rousimar Palhares exchange punches with Dan Miller at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Dan Miller shows the damage done by Rousimar Palhares at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Rousimar Palhares is told by referee Herb Dean that the fight was not stopped at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Rousimar Palhares celebrates prematurely at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Rousimar Palhares stares at downed Dan Miller at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Rousimar Palhares pounds out Dan Miller at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Rousimar Palhares pounds out Dan Miller at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Rousimar Palhares drops Dan Miller with a head kick at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Rousimar Palhares hunts down Dan Miller en route to a decision win at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Rousimar Palhares fights off his back against Dan Miller at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Thiago Tavares def. Spencer Fisher via second-round TKO at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Thiago Tavares def. Spencer Fisher via second-round TKO at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Thiago Tavares def. Spencer Fisher via second-round TKO at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Thiago Tavares def. Spencer Fisher via second-round TKO at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Thiago Tavares def. Spencer Fisher via second-round TKO at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Stanislav Nedkov def. Luiz Cane via first-round TKO at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Stanislav Nedkov def. Luiz Cane via first-round TKO at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Stanislav Nedkov stops Luiz Cane at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Stanislav Nedkov tries to finish Luiz Cane at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Stanislav Nedkov throws a punch at Luiz Cane at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Stanislav Nedkov throws a punch at Luiz Cane at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is announced to face Brendan Schaub at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira punches Brendan Schaub at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira knocks out Brendan Schaub at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira def. Brendan Schaub via first-round KO at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Brendan Schaub lands an uppercut on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira exchanges punches with Brendan Schaub at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira exchanges punches with Brendan Schaub at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira celebrates his win over Brendan Schaub at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Anderson Silva takes a breather after his win over Yushin Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Anderson Silva celebrates his win over Yushin Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Anderson Silva celebrates his win over Yushin Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Anderson Silva defeats Yushin Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Anderson Silva TKOs Yushin Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Anderson Silva TKOs Yushin Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Anderson Silva TKOs Yushin Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Anderson Silva drops Yushin Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Yushin Okami tries to clinch with Anderson Silva at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Anderson Silva gets ready to attack Yushin Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Anderson Silva punches Yushin Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Anderson Silva stalks Yushin Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Yushin Okami and Anderson Silva return to their corners after the first round at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Anderson Silva knees Yushin Okami right at the end of the first round at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Anderson Silva kicks Yushin Okami in the head at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Anderson Silva kicks Yushin Okami in the head at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Anderson Silva throws a strike at Yushin Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Anderson Silva throws a kick at Yushin Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos

  Anderson Silva tries to control Yushin Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

  Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Forrest Griffin returns to his locker room after his loss to Shogun Rua at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Forrest Griffin is checked on by the doctor at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Shogun Rua celebrates with his team after his win over Forrest Griffin at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Shogun Rua celebrates his win over Forrest Griffin at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Shogun Rua knocks out Forrest Griffin at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Shogun Rua pounds away at Forrest Griffin at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Shogun Rua pounds away at Forrest Griffin at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Shogun Rua rocks Forrest Griffin at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Forrest Griffin gets excited to fight Shogun Rua at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Edson Barboza def. Ross Pearson via split decision at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Edson Barboza def. Ross Pearson via split decision at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Ross Pearson loses a split decision to Edson Barboza at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Ross Pearson knees Edson Barboza at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Ross Pearson hunts down Edson Barboza at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Ross Pearson knees Edson Barboza at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Ross Pearson punches Edson Barboza at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Edson Barboza throws a kick at Ross Pearson at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Ross Pearson punches Edson Barboza at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Edson Barboza listens to instructions between rounds at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Edson Barboza throws a spinning back kick at Ross Pearson at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Edson Barboza throws a spinning back kick at Ross Pearson at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Edson Barboza and Ross Pearson exchange punches at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Edson Barboza throws a punch at Ross Pearson at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Edson Barboza throws a punch at Ross Pearson at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Ross Pearson kicks Edson Barboza at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Arianny Celeste holds up the round sign during Edson Barboza vs. Ross Pearson at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Edson Barboza throws a punch at Ross Pearson at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Yushin Okami's family cheer for Okami at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira knocks out Brendan Schaub at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Stanislav Nedkov celebrates his win over Luiz Cane at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos The Octagon Girls in attendance at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Inside the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Inside the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos Raphael Assuncao tries to avoid a leglock by Johnny Eduardo at UFC 134 on Aug. 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
• UFC 134 Photos The exterior of the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

When asked about those difficulties following the post-fight press conference, White flashed a knowing but weary smirk.

"No matter how much support you get from the city, let me tell you what, when you go to another country to put on an event, there are a lot of obstacles and a lot of hoops to jump through," White said. "We did it. We got through it, man, and here we are."

By early indications, White and the UFC didn't just get through the first Brazilian event under Zuffa ownership -- they killed it. From the lucky fans who managed to score tickets to the fights before they sold out, to the scores who watched on free TV at home, this soccer-mad city was fully focused on the UFC for at least one night.

According to White, early polling numbers indicated that UFC Rio garnered a whopping 20 percent TV share in Brazil on Saturday, which would put the total estimated viewership here at about 30 million.

"Huge," White said. "It was a big night."

Inside the arena, at least, it was also a night for Brazilians by Brazilians. It wasn't just that they dominated the fight card, winning eight of the nine fights in which a Brazilian took on a foreigner. It was that they expressed such unified disdain for anything non-Brazilian, even booing their own fighters when one of them dared to speak a bit of English in his post-fight remarks, then immediately reverting to cheers when he gave in and switched to Portuguese.

And when it was announced that Raphael Assuncao, who hails from Recife, Brazil, was now fighting out of Jupiter, Florida, well, you can probably guess what the crowd response was.

The Brazilian unity vibe was put into words at the post-fight presser, when Anderson Silva was asked about the mixed crowd reaction to seeing him in a Corinthians jersey -- a Sao Paulo soccer team and rival of the local Rio clubs.

"I think what we need to make clear and what we need our fans to understand is that we can and we should improve a lot of things about our country," Silva said via an interpreter. "We're not here to defend the jerseys of our team but instead to defend Brazil so that we can have a better future for the sport."

Try to imagine for a moment a scenario where Brock Lesnar calls for putting personal allegiances aside in favor of national unity and goal-oriented improvement across the country, and you start to get a sense of how the general mood of this night differed from the feel at a fight in the MGM Grand.

Anyone could see that this was a special night for Brazilian MMA, but where does it go from here? It's one thing to get a huge response when it's a novel event, as the UFC received on its recent trip to Toronto, but what about the next time?

What are the UFC's future plans for the country that embraced it with an almost terrifying fervor on Saturday night?

"We're going to take this thing everywhere," White said after being asked about rumors that the UFC plans a return to Brazil in a 100,000-seat soccer stadium. "We believe there's a lot of cities [in Brazil] where we can be successful, and we're coming back to Rio too."

When it does, the UFC might want to warn its Brazilian fighters to save the English for the post-fight presser. And maybe don't advertise the fact that many of them do their training camps in the U.S.