‘Shogun’ Rua vs. Sam Alvey set for UFC Sao Paulo

“Shogun” is back in Brazil.

MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz confirmed with sources that Mauricio Rua (26-11) will fight Sam Alvey (33-13, 1 NC) in a light heavyweight bout at UFC Sao Paulo on Nov. 16. The matchup was first reported by ESPN.

Rua, 37, has not fought since a third-round TKO win over Tyson Pedro last December and this will be his first appearance in his native Brazil since defeating Gian Villante at a show in Fortaleza in March 2017. The former UFC champion has won four of his last five fights and his UFC record stands at 10-9.

Alvey is just 2-3 in the UFC since moving up to 205 pounds and he’s lost three straight to Klidson Abreu, Jimmy Crute, and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. The 33-year-old will be looking for his first win since June of last year.

UFC Sao Paulo takes place at Ibirapuera Gymnasium and the main card will be broadcast live on the ESPN+ streaming service. In the headlining bout, Jan Blachowicz welcomes longtime middleweight contender Ronaldo Souza to the light heavyweight division.