The UFC was planning on booking Ronaldo Souza vs. David Branch for the upcoming UFC Sao Paulo event in Brazil on Sept. 22, possibly as the main event, but the fight is unlikely to happen now.
Branch has been vocal on Twitter over the past few days, accusing “Jacare” of turning down the offer.
Officially we were being told by the ufc the man who calls himself the alligator has been neutered @JacareMMA has declined to fight in his Homeland.
— David Branch (@DavidcBranchMMA) June 19, 2018
Souza (25-6, 1 no-contest) is coming off a close split-decision loss to Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 224 in Rio de Janeiro, losing momentum months after an impressive first-round knockout over Derek Brunson.