The UFC has refuted a report that the "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil" reality series won't be renewed for a third season.
A report out of Brazil cited sagging ratings, due in part to its late-night and changing timeslot on Globo, as the primary reason the show wouldn't be renewed beyond its current second season.
UFC officials, though, said there's no truth to the report.
"The information is inaccurate," officials said in a statement sent to MMAjunkie.com (http://www.mmajunkie.com). "The Ultimate Fighting Championship and Globo are happy with this successful partnership, which includes broadcasts of a few of the UFC's main events and exclusivity for the reality show in Brazil."
"TUF: Brazil," the first international edition of the UFC's long-running reality series, debuted in 2012 with notable Brazilian fighters Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort as head coaches. The show, which ultimately crowned Cezar Ferreira and Rony Jason as season champs, debuted with solid ratings, though they've leveled off this season.
"TUF: Brazil 2," which streams online in the U.S. and other international markets, now features Fabricio Werdum and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira as coaches. The season debuted March 17 and recently aired its seventh episode. The show's welterweight tournament concludes next month at UFC on FUEL TV 10.
Source: MMAJunkie.com