By TXMMA Staff // Photo: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Texas MMA fighter out of Temple set to compete in Porto Alegre, Brazil
TEMPLE, TX – The UFC travels internationally this coming weekend with UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir (also known as UFC Fight Night 61) taking place at the Ginásio Gigantinho in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The event is headlined with a heavyweight bout featuring Antônio Silva vs. Frank Mir as both fighters look to rebound into divisional relevancy following a string of recent losses.
The UFCFN 61 card also features some other would-be contenders as well, including lightweights like Edson Barboza taking on Michael Johnson and Rustan Khabilov taking on Adriano Martins.
Also on the card traveling far from home is Texas-based welterweight TJ Waldburger. Fighting out Grapplers Lair in Temple, TX, TJ has been in the UFC since September 2010 and currently has several Submission of the Night awards to his credit.
Though TJ Waldburger (16-9) has been recognized as one of the most prominent grapplers in his division, he’s also experienced his share of adversity as well. Most recently, he’s lost his last 2 fights but KO/TKO to Adlan Amagov and Mike Pyle. He’ll be looking to avoid the dreaded 3 losses in a row when he takes on Rio de Janeiro’s Wendell Oliveira, aka Brazil’s version of “War Machine.” The 31 year old Oliveira walks into the fight with a 24-8 record and is still looking for his first octagon win after falling to Santiago Ponzinibbio by KO in his September 2014 debut.
Overall it should be an interesting fight between two guys looking to turn their luck around.
Check out the complete card for Sunday night’s UFC Fight Night 61 below:
FOX Sports 1 Main Card (7PM CST):
- 265 lbs.: Antonio Silva vs. Frank Mir
- 155 lbs.: Edson Barboza vs. Michael Johnson
- 185 lbs.: Sam Alvey vs. Cezar Ferreira
- 155 lbs.: Rustam Khabilov vs. Adriano Martins
- 135 lbs.: Iuri Alcantara vs. Frankie Saenz
- 170 lbs.: Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Sean Strickland
FOX Sports 1 Prelims (5PM CST):
- 135 lbs.: Jessica Andrade vs. Marion Reneau
- 170 lbs.: Matt Dwyer vs. William Macario
- 135 lbs.: Mike De La Torre vs. Tiago Trator
- 170 lbs.: Wendell Oliveira vs. T.J. Waldburger
UFC Fight Pass Prelims (4PM CST):
- 135 lbs.: Cody Gibson vs. Douglas Silva
- 155 lbs.: Ivan Jorge vs. Josh Shockley