UFC 283

''UFC 283: Teixeira vs. Hill'' is an upcoming mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that will take place on January 21, 2023, at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Background

The event will mark the promotion's return to Brazil for the first time since UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira, which took place in Brasília in March 2020. That event took place behind closed doors (for the first time in the promotion's history) after Ibaneis Rocha, the governor of the Federal District (where Brasília is located), announced that large gatherings had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout for the vacant title between former champion Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill is expected to headline the event. Teixeira was originally expected to compete at UFC 282 as a challenger in a rematch against then-champion Jiří Procházka, but Procházka pulled out and vacated the title after a serious shoulder injury. Teixeira subsequently refused a replacement fight against Magomed Ankalaev, which prompted the UFC to change the original co-main event between former champion Jan Błachowicz and Ankalaev into the new title fight for the vacant belt. After that contest ended in a split draw, the organization decided to book Teixeira and Hill, who was scheduled to headline an event against former title challenger Anthony Smith in early March. Smith announced that he is expected to serve as an alternate for the title bout.

A UFC Flyweight Championship tetralogy bout between current two-time champion Deiveson Figueiredo and former champion/current interim title holder Brandon Moreno is expected to take place at the event. The pairing first met at UFC 256 on December 12, 2020 which ended in a majority draw (Figueiredo retained the title). Their second meeting took place at UFC 263 on June 12, 2021 where Moreno captured the title by submission in the third round. Their third meeting took place at UFC 270 on January 22, 2022 where Figueiredo regained the title by unanimous decision. Alexandre Pantoja is expected to serve as backup and potential replacement for this fight.

A women's featherweight bout between Josiane Nunes and Zarah Fairn Dos Santos is expected to take place at the event. They were originally scheduled to meet at UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum in April 2021, but on the day of the weigh-ins Fairn weighed in at 147 pounds, eight pounds over the pre-established limit of 139 pounds (the bout was originally set for the women's bantamweight division, but was shifted to a catchweight prior to the start of the weigh-ins). The bout was cancelled due to the weight discrepancy, as Nunes weighed in at 136 pounds.

A heavyweight bout between Shamil Abdurakhimov and Jailton Almeida is expected to take place at the event. They were previously scheduled to meet at UFC 279 and UFC 280 but Abdurakhimov withdrew both times due to visa issues and for undisclosed reasons respectively.

Guram Kutateladze was expected to face Thiago Moisés in a lightweight bout at this event. However, Kutateladze pulled out in early January for undisclosed reasons. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Melquizael Costa.

A middleweight bout between Brad Tavares and former LFA Middleweight Champion Gregory Rodrigues was expected to take place at the event. However, Tavares withdrew from the bout due to an injury. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Brunno Ferreira.

Fight card

Announced bouts

*Middleweight bout: Gregory Rodrigues vs. Brunno Ferreira

See also

* List of UFC events
* List of current UFC fighters
* 2023 in UFC

References

{{2023 in mixed martial arts

Ultimate Fighting Championship events
2023 in mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts in Brazil
International sports competitions in Rio de Janeiro (city)
2023 in Brazilian sport
Scheduled mixed martial arts events
January 2023 sports events in South America