Jonas Bilharinho Gets New Opponent for LFA 126 Title Fight in Rio de Janeiro

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises in recent memory on Dana White’s Contender Series occurred when Jonas Bilharinho wasn’t awarded a UFC contract following his spinning wheel kick knockout of Canaan Kawaihae this past November.

On Friday, Bilharinho will get another opportunity to gain White’s attention when he headlines LFA 126 in Rio de Janeiro with the promotion’s featherweight belt on the line. Bilharinho was supposed to face Rafael Barbosa at the event, but the fighter withdrew from the card after medical exams revealed two small aneurysms. According Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA) doctor Fabio Costa, the condition isn’t dangerous for Barbosa’s normal life, but it could expose him to “unnecessary risks” in an MMA fight. Brazilian Top Team’s Jose Mauro do Amaral Delano , who was originally slated to face Rafael Braga on the undercard, has been tabbed as Barbosa’s replacement.

LFA 126 will also feature a welterweight title clash between Gabriel de Souza Bonfim and Quemel Ottoni. The card airs on UFC Fight Pass at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will take place in the fancy concert house Ribalta, which can hold 2,000 people and is located in the Barra da Tijuca district of the city. The event will be broadcast live all over Brazil by SporTV 3 and Combate channel.

Former Strikeforce champion Rafael Cavalcante has been assisting LFA CEO Ed Soares with promotion in Brazil.

“Me and Ed have a long-time partnership. When he invited me to be part of this new challenge, I immediately jumped in,” Cavalcante said. “We were able to bring some of the best guys we have in Brazil to that card and we are already planning another edition in Buzios in May.”

“Feijao” expects that the Brazilian edition of LFA will send a solid number of fighters to the UFC.

“Through last year, 40 percent of LFA fighters were signed by the UFC,” he said. “Our idea is always to put the best against the best and reveal new talents and find new Brazilian idols.”