Rousimar Palhares vs. Alexandre Ferreira targeted for UFC: Rio

A Middleweight clash between Rousimar Palhares and fellow Brazilian, Alexandre Ferreira, is currently in the works for UFC 134: Rio.

Sources close to the development have confirmed that verbal agreements are in place for the bout, which was first reported by Portal do Vale Tudo.

Ferreira (18-6) will look to rebound after suffering a first round TKO loss against Vladimir Matyushenko in his promotional debut last November.  The defeat was his first in four years and snapped a seven-fight win streak.  Ferreira was initially expected to return this past March, but was forced to withdraw due to the massive flooding in Brazil earlier this year.

Palhares (12-3), meanwhile, is coming off of an impressive second-round submission victory over fellow BJJ specialist Dave Branch at UFC on Versus 3.  The win, which followed a disappointing TKO loss against Nate Marquardt last September, improved his current UFC record to 5-2.

UFC 134: Rio is set to take place August 27th from the the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  The landmark card will be headlined by a Middleweight title fight between division Champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva and challenger Yushin "Thunder" Okami and will mark the promotion's first trip back to Brazil since 1998.