The Ultimate Fighting Championship won't wait long to return to spiritual home of mixed martial arts.

Following this past August's ultra-successful UFC 134 event, the UFC will return to Rio de Janeiro's HSBC Arena on Jan. 14 for an event expected to serve as UFC 142.

MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com
) today confirmed the booking with UFC officials.

The UFC has yet to make an official announcement regarding the event, and potential fight bookings for the card have yet to be revealed

UFC president Dana White first revealed the company's plan to Brazilian outlet UOL but did not confirm the date or location. UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta recently completed a trip to Brazil, where he was said to be completing the UFC's January return to the country, as well as scouting out possible future host cities in the South American nation.

On Thursday, White said Brazil will soon host the first-ever international version of "The Ultimate Fighter" and should also expect to see the promotion make frequent visits to the country.

"It's a huge market for us," White said of Brazil. "It's incredible down there. We're going to do as many as we possibly can."

The UFC is also expected to announce a new partnership with Brazilian television network Globo. Following Thursday's pre-UFC 137 press conference, White was asked about a rumored deal but declined to offer any comment.

For the latest on UFC 142, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site
eerste gevecht staat trouwens al vast, namelijk

MW: Vitor Belfort vs Anthony Johnson

echt benieuwd wat daar bij gaat komen... sonnen wou heel graag super bowl weekend maar daar staat GSP vs Diaz vast, en 2 relevante titelgevecht(een FW of BW titelgevecht kun je wel co-main van maken) lijkt me voor een eventje in USA ook ondenkbaar... het zou te gek zijn Silva vs Sonnen in brazil en vooral als sonnen dan wint!! het zou voor mij al het MMA moment van 2012 al zijn terwijl 2012 dan nog net 2 weken aan de gang is