Programming alert: 'Countdown to UFC 142' debuts on Jan. 10 on FUEL TV

Countdown to UFC 142: "Aldo vs. Mendes" will debut Tues., Jan. 10, 2012 at 9:00 p.m. ET on Fuel TV to promote the upcoming pay-per-view (PPV) event scheduled for the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sat., Jan. 14, 2012.

The network special will provide a glimpse into the preparation and training camps of the fighters set to headline the show, featuring current featherweight champion Jose Aldo and number one contender to the throne Chad Mendes.

Replays of "Countdown to UFC 142" will air sporadically throughout the entire FOX family of networks, including FX.

"Aldo vs. Mendes" will also feature Vitor Belfort making his big return in front of his native people to take on Anthony Johnson, who will be making his middleweight debut.

Here is the current UFC 142 fight card and line-up:

Main event:

145 lbs.: Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes

Main card (pay-per-view):

185 lbs.: Vitor Belfort vs. Anthony Johnson
155 lbs.: Thiago Tavares vs. Sam Stout
155 lbs.: Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim
185 lbs.: Rousimar Palhares vs. Mike Massenzio

Preliminary card (May not be broadcast):

170 lbs.: Paulo Thiago vs. Mike Pyle
205 lbs.: Fabio Maldonado vs. Stanislav Nedkov
170 lbs.: Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Erick Silva
145 lbs.: Michihiro Omigawa vs. Yuri Alcantara
145 lbs.: Felipe Arantes vs. Antonio Carvalho
265 lbs.: Rob Broughton vs. Ednaldo Oliveira

MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action on fight night (Sat., Jan. 14), which is slated to air at 9 p.m. ET on pay-per-view. The latest quick updates of the live action will begin to flow earlier than that around 6:30 p.m. ET with the preliminary bouts.

For the latest UFC 142 news and notes click here.