Brazilian supercop Paulo Thiago is expected to face off against Mike Pyle when the promotion returns to Rio de Janeiro for UFC 142, currently scheduled for the HSBC Arena on Jan. 14, 2012.
Tatame.com first reported the 170-pound match-up earlier today.
Thiago (14-3) was able to get back into the win column with a unanimous decision nod over David Mitchell at UFC 134 back in August, returning him to good standing after consecutive losses to Diego Sanchez and Martin Kampmann.
Does a win over Pyle put him back "in the mix?"
Pyle (21-8-1) was in welterweight cruise control, stringing together three straight victories over Jesse Lennox, John Hathaway and Ricardo Almeida.
Rory MacDonald was not impressed.
"The Waterboy" came off the bench to sink "Quicksand" in the opening round at UFC 133, but a win over Thiago will go a long way in erasing those memories.
UFC 142 will feature featherweight champion Jose Aldo defending his 145-pound title against undefeated wrestler Chad Mendes. In addition, Vitor Belfort will strap on the gloves to try and ruin Anthony Johnson's debut at middleweight.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for future updates to this still-developing fight card.
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