• UFC Fight Night 39

Nelson to face Rodrigo Nogueira in Abu Dhabi

Brett Okamoto
February 6, 2014
Roy Nelson is looking to break a two-fight losing streak © Getty Images
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A heavyweight bout between Roy Nelson and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will headline the UFC's first live event in Abu Dhabi since 2010.

UFC Fight Night 39 will take place April 11 at Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates. It will be broadcast on Fight Pass, the UFC's subscription Internet service.

Nelson (19-9) will look to break a two-fight losing streak. The Las Vegas-based fighter had crept into title contention in 2013 before suffering back-to-back losses to Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier.

Prior to the skid, Nelson had recorded consecutive first-round knockouts over Cheick Kongo, Matt Mitrione and Dave Herman.

Nogueira (34-8-1) hasn't fought since a submission loss to Fabricio Werdum at a UFC on Fuel event last June. The Brazilian has a 5-4 record since debuting with the UFC in 2007, alternating wins and losses in his last eight bouts.

The UFC has held one event in the Middle East. In April 2010, Yas Island hosted a UFC 112 pay-per-view event, which was headlined by a middleweight title fight between Anderson Silva and Demian Maia.

This article originally appeared on ESPN.com

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