Report: Gustafsson-Nogueira targeted for UFC Sao Paulo main event

One of the UFC's most elusive matchups could soon attempt a booking for the third time.

A light heavyweight clash between two-time title challenger Alexander Gustafsson and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is reportedly being targeted for Nov. 19 at UFC Fight Night 100 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Combate and Bloody Elbow reported the news Sunday.

If and when the bout is confirmed, Gustafsson will hope that third time's the charm, as Nogueira has already pulled out of two previously scheduled dates with the Swede. The two were initially slated to meet in 2012 at the UFC's first event in Sweden, then again two years later in London. Jimi Manuwa filled in for Nogueira on the latter card, only to be handed a second-round TKO for his initiative.

"The Mauler" most recently notched a much-needed decision against Jan Blachowicz in Hamburg, Germany. He'd previously dropped three of four fights, two of them heartbreaking decisions against then champions Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier.

As for the oft-injured Nogueira, "Little Nog" has averaged one fight per year since 2013, going 2-2 in that stretch. His last Octagon showing came at UFC 198, where he finished Patrick Cummins by first-round TKO.

The Gustafsson-Nogueira matchup is the only bout attached to the November event thus far.