Nate Marquardt vs. Thiago Santos verbally agreed for UFC event in Brazil

Nate Marquardt will compete in South America for the first time in his 19-year MMA career, as he faces Thiago Santos in a middleweight bout on May 14 in Brazil. Sources confirmed the match-up is verbally agreed, but contracts are yet to be signed. Combate first reported the news.

The Fight Night card will be headlined by Ronaldo Souza vs. Vitor Belfort, but the promotion has yet to announce the city and venue in Brazil.

A former Strikeforce and Pancrase champion, Marquardt (32-15-2) enters the bout coming off a second-round finish over C.B. Dollaway in December. The veteran is 2-2 since moving back up to 185 pounds, with his other win being a quick first-round armbar versus James TeHuna.

Winner of his last three, capped off by a dominant decision victory over Elias Theodorou, Santos (12-3) holds a 4-2 UFC record with three knockout wins in less than two minutes. "Marreta" finished Ronny Markes, Andy Enz and Steve Bosse inside the Octagon.