Drysdale-Oliveira, Yahya-Clopton, Gaff-Nunes Added to UFC 163 in Rio

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Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Robert Drysdale has signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and will make his Octagon debut at UFC 163 against Ednaldo Oliveira.

UFC officials announced the booking Tuesday and verified two additional matchups pitting Rani Yahya against Josh Clopton and Amanda Nunes against Sheila Gaff. UFC 163 takes place Aug. 3 at HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro and is headlined by a featherweight title showdown between Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis.

Drysdale is undefeated in six pro appearances, posting a 3-0 record under the Legacy Fighting Championship banner after signing with the Texas-based promotion last year. The jiu-jitsu ace and renowned grappling instructor last competed on April 12, when he submitted Bellator vet D.J. Linderman with a rear-naked choke in just 1:48.

Oliveira was handed his first defeat in his most recent effort, submitting to a Gabriel Gonzaga rear-naked choke this past January at UFC 142. Prior to that setback, the 29-year-old posted a 13-0-1 record to begin his career, picking up eight victories by way of knockout.

Yahya, 28, currently rides a two-fight winning streak, most recently taking a unanimous decision from former Sengoku lightweight champion Mizuto Hirota at UFC on Fuel TV 8. By contrast, Clopton has not competed since December 2011, when he was outpointed by “Ultimate Fighter 14” cast mate Steven Siler at the live season finale.

Known as “The German Tank,” Gaff saw a three-fight winning streak snapped in April by Olympic wrestling silver medalist Sara McMann, who grounded the 23-year-old striker en route to a technical knockout win at UFC 159. Nunes, meanwhile, has lost two of her last three after winning six of her first seven pro bouts. Most recently, the 25-year-old was outpointed by Sarah D’Alelio this past January at Invicta FC 4.