Lightweight Strikers Pearson, Barboza Tangle at UFC ‘Rio’

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A lightweight tilt between British slugger Ross Pearson and Brazilian muay Thai machine Edson Barboza is on tap for UFC 134 “Rio.”

Pearson’s hometown newspaper, The Sunderland Echo, quoted UFC President Dana White on Tuesday as stating that the bout has been verbally agreed upon.

“It’s a great match for me against a guy who’s got a great reputation,” Pearson told the paper. “Barboza likes to have a war and so do I. I think we can put on the fight of the night.”

UFC 134 takes place August 27 at HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro and is expected to be headlined by a middleweight championship bout between champion Anderson Silva and challenger Yushin Okami. Also announced for the event is a rematch of former light heavyweight champions Forrest Griffin and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

Pearson, 26, entered the UFC in June 2009, besting countryman Andre Winner to become the lightweight victor of “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 9. The Team Rough House representative has compiled a 4-1 mark in the Octagon which includes wins over German standout Dennis Siver (in a “Fight of the Night” performance) and, most recently, veteran Spencer Fisher at February’s UFC 127.

Barboza will compete in his home country for the first time since his days on the Rio de Janeiro muay Thai circuit. The 25-year-old Armory product is unbeaten in his MMA campaign at 8-0, having topped Anthony Njokuani (unanimous decision at UFC 128) and Mike Lullo (leg-kick TKO at UFC 123) in his first two UFC outings.