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UFC 134
UFC 134
from Wikipedia
UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami
The poster for UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami
PromotionUltimate Fighting Championship
DateAugust 27, 2011
VenueHSBC Arena
CityRio de Janeiro, Brazil
Attendance14,000[1]
Buyrate335,000[2]
Event chronology
UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger

UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami (also known as UFC Rio) was a mixed martial arts (MMA) pay-per-view event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on August 27, 2011 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.[3][4] The event was the second that the UFC has hosted in Brazil, since 1998's UFC 17.5: Ultimate Brazil. UFC 134 was awarded the 2011 event of the year by Sherdog.

Background

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UFC 1, 2, and 4 Tournament winner Royce Gracie was briefly linked to the event, but the rumors were refuted by UFC president Dana White.[5]

Maiquel Falcão was scheduled [6] to take on Tom Lawlor at this event, but was released from the promotion in regard to a 2002 assault charge.[7] Lawlor was instead moved to UFC 139 to take on Chris Weidman.[8]

Mackens Semerzier was expected to face Iuri Alcântara at the event,[9] but was replaced by UFC newcomer Antonio Carvalho.[10] However, Carvalho was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by newcomer Felipe Arantes.[11]

Alexandre Ferreira was expected to face Rousimar Palhares at this event.[12] However, Ferreira was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Dan Miller.[13]

Mike Swick was scheduled to make his return against debuting Erick Silva on this card. However, Swick had to withdraw from the bout due to a knee injury and was replaced by Luis Ramos.[14]

This event was awarded Sherdog's 2011 Event of the Year.[15]

Broadcasting

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UFC 134 featured two preliminary fights live on Spike TV in the US.[16] The UFC 134 Live Prelims aired on Spike TV and were simultaneously broadcast on the digital sign above the Doubletree Hotel in the "Little Brazil" section of Times Square in New York City.[17]

The entire card, including preliminary fights, was broadcast in Brazil through Pay-per-view channel Globosat Combate, and the main card was also broadcast by RedeTV!,[18] marking the UFC's Brazilian broadcast television debut. Joe Rogan did not do commentary for this event because of a prior commitment. Kenny Florian substituted as a commentator instead.[19]

Results

[edit]
Main card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Middleweight Anderson Silva (c) def. Yushin Okami TKO (punches) 2 2:04 [a]
Light Heavyweight Maurício Rua def. Forrest Griffin KO (punches) 1 1:53
Lightweight Edson Barboza def. Ross Pearson Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) 3 5:00
Heavyweight Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira def. Brendan Schaub KO (punches) 1 3:09
Light Heavyweight Stanislav Nedkov def. Luiz Cane TKO (punches) 1 4:13
Preliminary card (Spike TV)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight Thiago Tavares def. Spencer Fisher TKO (punches) 2 2:51
Middleweight Rousimar Palhares def. Dan Miller Decision (unanimous) (29–27, 30–27, 30–25) 3 5:00
Preliminary card (Facebook)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Welterweight Paulo Thiago def. David Mitchell Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00 [b]
Bantamweight Raphael Assunção def. Johnny Eduardo Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Welterweight Erick Silva def. Luis Ramos TKO (punches) 1 0:40 [c]
Featherweight Iuri Alcântara def. Felipe Arantes Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) 3 5:00
Bantamweight Yves Jabouin def. Ian Loveland Decision (split) (27–30, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00 [d]
  1. ^ For the UFC Middleweight Championship
  2. ^ This bout aired on the broadcast following the Silva vs Okami bout.
  3. ^ This bout aired on the broadcast following the Nogueira vs Schaub bout.
  4. ^ This bout aired on the broadcast following the Thiago vs Mitchell bout.

Bonus awards

[edit]

The following fighters received $100,000 bonuses.[20]

  • Fight of the Night: Ross Pearson vs. Edson Barboza
  • Knockout of the Night: Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira
  • Submission of the Night: Not awarded as no matches ended by submission.

Reported payout

[edit]

The following is the reported payout to the fighters. It does not include sponsor money or "locker room" bonuses often given by the UFC and also do not include the UFC's traditional "fight night" bonuses[21]

  • Anderson Silva: $1,000,000 (no win bonus) def. Yushin Okami: $50,000
  • Shogun Rua: $150,000 (no win bonus) def. Forrest Griffin: $125,000
  • Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira: $400,000 ($150,000 win bonus) def. Brendan Schaub: $10,000
  • Edson Barboza: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus) def. Ross Pearson: $20,000
  • Stanislav Nedkov: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus) def. Luiz Cane: $19,000
  • Thiago Tavares: $30,000 ($15,000 win bonus) def. Spencer Fisher: $26,000
  • Rousimar Palhares: $14,000 ($7,000 win bonus) def. Dan Miller: $15,000
  • Paulo Thiago: $36,000 ($18,000 win bonus) def. David Mitchell: $6,000
  • Raphael Assunção: $36,000 ($18,000 win bonus) def. Johnny Eduardo: $6,000
  • Erick Silva: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus) def. Luis Ramos: $6,000
  • Yuri Alcântara: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus) def. Felipe Arantes: $6,000
  • Yves Jabouin: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus) def. Ian Loveland: $6,000

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that took place on August 27, 2011, at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It marked the promotion's return to Brazil after a 13-year absence since UFC Brazil: Ultimate Brazil in 1998 and was the first UFC pay-per-view event held in Rio de Janeiro. The event drew a sold-out crowd of approximately 14,000 spectators. The main event featured UFC Anderson Silva defending his against Yushin Okami in a rematch, where Silva avenged his only prior UFC loss—a 2006 disqualification—by securing a second-round TKO victory at 2:04 via strikes. In the co-main event, former UFC Maurício "Shogun" Rua defeated Forrest Griffin, another ex-champion, via first-round TKO at 1:53, marking a significant rebound win for Rua in front of his home countrymen. Other key bouts on the main card included Edson Barboza's controversial split decision victory over Ross Pearson in a lightweight clash noted for its intensity, and Antônio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira's first-round TKO of Brendan Schaub, a comeback knockout that highlighted Nogueira's resilience after a string of defeats. The prelims showcased a strong Brazilian contingent, with seven of the ten undercard fighters hailing from the host country, contributing to an electric atmosphere and multiple finishes, including Thiago Tavares's second-round TKO of Spencer Fisher and Erick Silva's quick 40-second submission of Luís Ramos in his UFC debut. Overall, the card produced six knockouts and two submissions, earning praise for its high finish rate and cultural significance, later recognized as Sherdog's 2011 Event of the Year due to dominant star performances, upsets, and emerging talents. The event generated an estimated 335,000 pay-per-view buys, underscoring the UFC's growing popularity in Brazil.

Event Overview

Background

UFC 134, also known as , was announced in late as the Ultimate Fighting Championship's return to after a 13-year absence since the inaugural event in 1998. The event was scheduled for August 27, 2011, at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, marking the promotion's effort to reconnect with its roots in the birthplace of . Initial planning emphasized featuring prominent Brazilian fighters to capitalize on national pride and growing local interest in the sport. The fight card began taking shape in April and May 2011, with several bouts confirmed to highlight Brazilian talent. On May 9, 2011, UFC officials revealed the main event: middleweight champion Anderson Silva defending his title against Yushin Okami in a rematch from their 2006 encounter. Additional matchups included light heavyweight Luiz Cane versus Stanislav Nedkov, featherweight Antonio Carvalho against Iuri Alcântara (listed variably as Yuri Alcantara), and middleweight Maiquel Falcao versus Tom Lawlor, among others announced progressively through UFC channels and media reports. The card underwent several significant alterations due to injuries and contractual issues. In May 2011, Maiquel Falcao was released from the UFC amid legal troubles related to a prior arrest and removed from his scheduled bout with . Later, on August 4, 2011, withdrew from his preliminary card fight against due to a knee injury, with newcomer Luis Ramos stepping in as replacement. These changes reflected the challenges of finalizing an international event with a stacked roster of debuting and established fighters. Amid the buildup, rumors circulated about a potential appearance by UFC Hall of Famer , possibly in a retirement bout against Matt Hughes, but UFC President explicitly debunked these speculations in April 2011, stating no negotiations were underway. This event's planning underscored its role as a landmark in Brazilian MMA history by reigniting the promotion's presence in the country.

Significance

UFC 134 marked the Ultimate Fighting Championship's return to after a 13-year absence since in 1998, signifying a pivotal revival of the promotion's presence in the birthplace of and igniting renewed fan engagement across the country. The event, held at HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, drew a sold-out crowd of 14,000 passionate supporters, whose fervent energy created an unparalleled atmosphere that amplified the performances of local heroes like middleweight champion and former light heavyweight titleholder Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. This electric environment not only boosted the fighters' adrenaline but also contributed to the event's acclaim as Sherdog's 2011 Event of the Year, underscoring its role in elevating Brazilian MMA stars on the global stage. The commercial triumph of UFC 134 further highlighted its competitive and cultural weight, achieving a buyrate of 335,000, which reflected surging international interest in the card's marquee matchups and Brazil's burgeoning MMA fandom. This success was bolstered by the event's emphasis on national pride, with and Rua delivering emphatic victories that resonated deeply with the audience and solidified their statuses as icons of Brazilian fighting prowess. In the broader context of UFC's growth, UFC 134 served as a cornerstone for the organization's international expansion, particularly in , by demonstrating the viability of hosting major events in the region and fostering a loyal viewer base that extended beyond live attendance. The crowd's palpable influence—characterized by thunderous cheers and boos that visibly affected opponents—set a precedent for future Brazilian cards, encouraging UFC to invest heavily in the market and inspiring a wave of South American talent development that shaped the promotion's global footprint for years to come.

Production Details

Venue and Attendance

UFC 134 was held on August 27, 2011, at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, , a multi-purpose indoor venue that served as the host location for the event's card. The arena, which has since been renamed multiple times including to Jeunesse Arena and currently Farmasi Arena, was selected for its modern facilities and central role in accommodating large-scale sporting events in the city. The event timing aligned with evening hours in the local Time zone (UTC-3), facilitating prime-time viewing for Brazilian audiences without conflicting with international broadcast schedules. The HSBC Arena had an approximate capacity of 14,000 for , adjusted from an initial plan for nearly 17,000 seats to incorporate additional production elements like high-quality screens around the venue. Tickets for the event sold out in just 74 minutes upon release, underscoring the high demand in the host country. The official attendance reached the full 14,000, marking a complete sellout and filling the arena to its event-specific limits. The sold-out crowd of 14,000 Brazilian fans created an electrifying atmosphere, known for its passionate energy that amplified the event's intensity from the preliminary bouts onward. This enthusiastic attendance highlighted the strong local support for in Rio de Janeiro, contributing to the venue's reputation as a challenging environment for visiting fighters due to the vocal home-country backing.

Broadcasting

The main card of UFC 134 was broadcast live on (PPV) , starting at 9:00 p.m. ET, through providers such as , , and . Preliminary bouts were aired on Spike TV beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET, drawing 1.3 million viewers despite disruptions from on the U.S. East Coast. Additional preliminary fights streamed for free on starting at 5:45 p.m. ET, providing broader online access to the undercard. International coverage emphasized , where the event marked the UFC's first broadcast on network television. The full card, including preliminaries, was available via on the Globosat Combate channel, while the main card aired simultaneously on RedeTV!, achieving record ratings for the network. This dual distribution highlighted the event's local significance and expanded accessibility for Brazilian audiences. The English-language commentary team featured play-by-play announcer alongside color commentator , who replaced due to the latter's scheduling conflict with taping the reboot of NBC's . These production elements contributed to the event's global reach, with the PPV generating 335,000 buys worldwide.

Fight Results

Main Card

The main event featured UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva defending his title against Yushin Okami in a highly anticipated rematch, as Okami had previously defeated Silva by disqualification in 2006. In the first round, Okami pressed forward aggressively, securing a clinch and landing body shots, but Silva defended the takedown attempts effectively while countering with knees. The second round saw Silva shift momentum dramatically; he stunned Okami with a knee to the body, followed by a knee to the face that dropped the challenger, and finished with ground strikes for a TKO victory at 2:04. Silva's dominant performance solidified his reign, showcasing his superior striking and defensive grappling in front of a raucous Brazilian crowd. In the light heavyweight co-main event, former champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua sought revenge against Forrest Griffin, who had upset him via submission in their 2007 encounter. Griffin started aggressively, landing kicks and advancing pressure early in the round. However, Rua countered explosively with a powerful right hand that staggered Griffin, followed by a flurry of punches on the ground that forced the referee to stop the fight at 1:53 of the first round for a knockout win. This victory marked a thrilling comeback for Rua, highlighting his devastating knockout power and resilience in his home country. The lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Ross Pearson delivered a competitive striking war over three rounds. Pearson controlled the early action with forward pressure and combinations, outlanding Barboza in significant strikes overall. Barboza responded with his signature leg kicks and spinning techniques, particularly in the later rounds, which swayed two judges in his favor for a split decision victory (29–28, 28–29, 29–28). The fight exemplified Barboza's unorthodox kicking game against Pearson's boxing volume, resulting in a razor-close contest. Heavyweight veteran Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira faced rising prospect in a matchup blending experience and youth. Nogueira absorbed an early from Schaub but quickly recovered, using his jab and combinations to close distance. He then landed a devastating left hook that dropped Schaub, following up with punches on the canvas for a at 3:09 of the first round. This upset win electrified the audience, underscoring Nogueira's enduring ability despite being the underdog. Opening the main card, Stanislav Nedkov took on Brazilian Luiz Cane in a clash of wrestling and striking styles. Cane dominated initially with leg kicks that opened a cut on Nedkov and controlled the pace on the feet. Nedkov weathered the storm, secured a takedown, and unleashed ground-and-pound strikes that overwhelmed Cane, earning a TKO at 4:13 of the first round. The Bulgarian's comeback highlighted his resilience against Cane's early aggression.

Preliminary Card

The preliminary card of UFC 134 featured seven bouts that showcased emerging Brazilian talent alongside established fighters, building excitement for the main event in Rio de Janeiro. These undercard fights were divided between broadcasts on for five matchups and Spike TV for two, providing viewers with a mix of striking and exchanges across , , , and divisions. The card opened on Facebook with a clash where Yves Jabouin defeated Ian Loveland by (27–30, 29–28, 29–28) after three rounds, in a competitive bout that highlighted Jabouin's technical striking advantage. Next, in a matchup, Iuri Alcântara outpointed Felipe Arantes via (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) over three rounds, relying on superior wrestling control to secure the win. then made a stunning UFC debut in the division, stopping Luis Ramos with a TKO (punches) at 0:40 of the first round, overwhelming his opponent with explosive power early in the fight. followed with a dominant (30–27 x3) victory over in their encounter after three rounds, using precise kicks and takedown defense to maintain distance. Closing the Facebook prelims, earned a (30–27 x3) against David Mitchell in the bout spanning three rounds, capitalizing on effective ground-and-pound to control the pace. Shifting to Spike TV, in the middleweight prelim headliner, submitted a grappling-heavy performance to defeat Dan Miller by (29–27, 30–27, 30–25) after three rounds, though he notably refrained from his signature submissions. The Spike TV portion concluded with lightweight action as halted via TKO (punches) at 2:51 of the second round, turning the tide with a barrage of strikes after an even first frame. Among the highlights, Silva's rapid finish marked one of the quickest debuts in UFC welterweight history, signaling his potential as a knockout artist, while Tavares' stoppage provided a momentum-building close to the prelims with its high-volume offense.

Post-Event Recognition

Bonus Awards

At UFC 134, the Ultimate Fighting Championship awarded performance-based bonuses to recognize outstanding efforts in the octagon, following its standard structure of $100,000 per category. These bonuses, announced immediately after the event, included Fight of the Night and Knockout of the Night, with a total distribution of $300,000 across three recipients. The Fight of the Night bonus went to and for their thrilling three-round bout, characterized by intense striking exchanges and resilience, earning each fighter $100,000. Barboza's leg kicks and Pearson's counters made it a standout preliminary card fight, highlighting the competitive spirit of the matchup. Knockout of the Night was awarded to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira for his emphatic first-round knockout of on the main card, securing him $100,000; Nogueira's counter right hand ended the bout decisively. This marked a significant moment for the veteran Brazilian fighter returning to form in his home country. No Submission of the Night bonus was issued, as the event featured no submission victories across the entire card. This absence aligned with the night's emphasis on knockouts and decisions, reflecting the striking-heavy outcomes in Rio de Janeiro.

Reported Payouts

The reported payouts for UFC 134, as disclosed through filings with the Brazilian athletic commission in September 2011, represent the fighters' base pay and win bonuses where applicable, excluding performance bonuses, sponsorships, or pay-per-view revenue shares. These figures are made public as part of the commission's oversight to ensure transparency in professional combat sports events. Anderson Silva received $1,000,000 total for the middleweight title defense (no separate win bonus). Yushin Okami earned $50,000 show money as the challenger. In the light heavyweight co-main event, Mauricio Rua was paid $150,000 total (no separate win bonus), while Forrest Griffin received $125,000 base pay. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira earned $400,000 total ($250,000 base pay + $150,000 win bonus) for his heavyweight bout, and Brendan Schaub was awarded $10,000 show money. Other notable payouts included at $12,000 total ($6,000 show money + $6,000 win bonus), and with $20,000 show money. Undercard fighters generally ranged from $36,000 total for winners (e.g., and , each $18,000 show + $18,000 win) to $6,000 show money for losers, reflecting the tiered structure typical of UFC compensation for preliminary bouts. These base earnings do not account for additional performance bonuses awarded post-event, such as Fight of the Night or Knockout of the Night.
FighterBase Pay / PurseNotes
Anderson Silva$1,000,000Total, title defense (no win bonus)
$50,000Show money
Mauricio Rua$150,000Total (no win bonus)
$125,000Base pay (show money)
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira$400,000 ($150,000 win)Total, base + win bonus
$10,000Show money
$12,000 ($6,000 win)Total, show + win bonus
$20,000Show money (flat purse)

References

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