Cage Rage 18: ''Ninja'' Rua, Dan Severn, "Pe de Pano" to Fight

LONDON — Chute Boxe star Murilo Rua (Pictures) is almost certain to face Mark Weir (Pictures) at the Cage Rage 18 show on September 30, at Wembley Arena, Sherdog.com has learned.

Previous rumours had suggested that Weir, the current Cage Rage British middleweight champion, would face an American opponent, with names like Phil Baroni (Pictures) and Joe Riggs (Pictures) being bandied about. However, sources indicate the deal with Rua is almost confirmed, and the fight is expected to be officially announced within the week.

Additionally, PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix champion Mauricio Rua (Pictures) will be attending the event in order to corner his brother.

In further Cage Rage news Sherdog can reveal that a match between MMA legend Dan Severn (Pictures) and UFC veteran Marcio Cruz (Pictures) is also close to being signed. Official confirmation for this bout is also expected soon.

Cage Rage 18 is set to be headlined by a battle between British MMA pioneer Ian Freeman (Pictures) and Cage Rage veteran Mark Epstein (Pictures), with the latter's British light heavyweight title at stake.

The current confirmed card, at time of press is:

Ian Freeman (Pictures) vs. Mark Epstein (Pictures) (British lightheavyweight title)
Robert Berry (Pictures) vs. Rob Broughton (Pictures) (British heavyweight title)
Tony Fryklund (Pictures) vs. Alex Reid (Pictures)
Dave Legeno (Pictures) vs. TBA
Gregory Bouchelaghem (Pictures) vs. TBA
Mustapha Al Turk vs. Henry Miller (Pictures)
Sol Gilbert (Pictures) vs. Paul Daley (Pictures) (British welterweight title)
Brad Pickett (Pictures) vs. Robbie Oliver (British featherweight title)
Zelg Galesic (Pictures) vs. James E Nicolle (Eliminator - winner faces Mark Weir (Pictures) for the British middleweight title)