Brazilian submission ace Thiago Tavares will fight on his home soil against UFC veteran Spencer Fisher in Brazil. The pair meets in a lightweight contest on the UFC: Rio card according to PVT. UFC: Rio takes place Aug. 27th at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro and will feature a Middleweight title main event between Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami.

Thiago Tavares talks to PVT:(translated by BE's own Tom Mendes)

"I still can't believe the news. I felt like crying, of shouting. It seemed impossible for me to fight in Brazil. I had no idea I would fight [in Rio], and I still can't believe it."

"[Fisher] is very tough. He's a student of Pat Miletich, he trains with Matt Hughes and Robbie Lawler, he's a southpaw, good in boxing and kickboxing. He has submitted Thiago Pitbull and has a decision loss to Frankie Edgar, the champion of the weight class. So I know it will be tough, but I will be well prepared, in the best conditions of my life. They gave someone tough for me to fight in my country, I know of my responsibilities. The war will be in Brazilian territory and I will do all that I can to represent."

Thiago Tavares (15-4-1)
Loss Shane Roller - KO (Punches) UFC Versus 3
Win Pat Audinwood - Submission (Guillotine Choke) UFC 119
Draw Nik Lentz - Draw UFC FN 20

Spencer "The King" Fisher (24-7)
Loss Ross Pearson - Decision (Unanimous) UFC 127
Win Curt Warburton - Decision (Unanimous) UFC 120
Loss Dennis Siver - Decision (Unanimous) TUF 11 Finale UFC

Aug 27th, live on Pay-per-view from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:

Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami
Mauricio Rua vs. Forrest Griffin
Edson Barboza vs. Takanori Gomi
Thiago Tavares vs. Spencer Fisher

UFC: Rio coverage