UFC has announded its next UFC date, September 29th in Nottingham. Not a lot announced in terms of the card yet, but I'll post an article from MMAJunkie below. So Kevin, you home in September Credit to MMAJunkie: The UFC officially is headed to Nottingham. The organization today announced a Sept. 29 show in the English city, and a few Brits are on the card. Announced bouts include bantamweights Brad Pickett (21-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC) vs. Yves Jabouin (16-7 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and "The Ultimate Fighter: Live" cast member Andy Ogle (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) vs. fellow lightweight Akira Corassani (9-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC). The event takes place at Capital FM Arena, a 10,000-seat venue. UFC officials were not immediately available to clarify whether it'll be a numbered event (likely UFC 153) or a possible UFC on FX or UFC on FUEL TV show. MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) passed along news of the expected event this past month. UFC president Dana White recently mentioned UFC 146 winners and British fighters Dan Hardy (24-10 MMA, 5-4 UFC) and Paul Sass (13-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) as additional possibilities for the card. "We are very excited to be going to Nottingham for the first time," UFC Managing Director of International Business Marshall Zelaznik stated. “Some of the biggest names in British mixed martial arts are from Nottingham, and the fans have been campaigning for us to bring a fight here for years. The U.K. fans are among the most passionate UFC supporters on Earth, and this is going to be a special night." Pickett recently earned his third "Fight of the Night" award in four bouts with a second-round submission victory over Damacio Page at UFC on FUEL TV 2. Prior to the victory, the former WEC fighter was stuck in a 1-2 skid, though the losses came to proven veteran Scott Jorgensen and upcoming title challenger Renan Barao. His opponent, a fellow WEC vet, recently picked up his third straight UFC victory with a unanimous-decision win over Jeff Hougland at UFC on FUEL TV 3. Prior to that, the Haitian-Canadian fighter and Tristar Gym member picked up split-decision victories over Ian Loveland and Walel Watson. Meanwhile, Ogle, a surprise quarterfinalist on "TUF: Live," was one of only two cast members who weren't medically cleared to compete at the recent live finale. But he campaigned for a spot on the Nottingham card and got it. The fighter, who trains out of Sunderland, makes his promotional debut on the strength of a seven-fight win streak that includes five stoppages. He takes on Corassani, a "TUF 14" cast member who makes his UFC debut after injuries delayed his first UFC fight. The Swedish fighter hasn't competed professionally since a February 2011 loss to Paul Reed in regional competition. He was on a six-fight win streak prior to the defeat.
Damn. I'll miss it. I'm heading back to South America (Peru) on September 13th. Is this a fight night type event rather than a main event. It definitely needs some big name fighters on the card.
Kev, at last read, it appeared not to be set. Agree it needs some names though. Thats horrible timing. Would you be going regardless of card hero?
A quick google search has brought up quite a few rumours, so no idea how true these are, but for conversations sake this is the most complete card I've found. UFC 153 “Back in England” Date: 29/9/2012 Venue: Capital FM Arena Location: Nottingham, England Broadcast: Complete event live via www.UFC.tv ($10), or delayed via FuelTV Main Card: Mike Bisping vs TBA Brad Pickett vs Yves Jabouin Dan Hardy vs TBA John Hathaway vs TBA Terry Etim vs TBA Undercard: Jorgen Kruth vs Cyrille Diabate Paul Sass vs TBA Papy Abedi vs TBA Andy Ogle vs Akira Corassani Doesn't seem too unrealistic to be honest. Another rumour I saw was that main event was Bisping v Belfort.
All the best British fighters seem to be represented. Hathaway and Etim are definitely fighters on the way up.
It's UFC on Fuel.. Ticket prices are extortionate! I don't think this will be possible for me :S 1ST PRICE FLOOR £247.50 1ST PRICE TIERED £247.50 2ND PRICE TIERED £203.50 3RD PRICE TIERED £165.00 4TH PRICE TIERED £110.00 5TH PRICE TIERED £82.50
Outrageous isn't it? If there were some bigger names on the card it would be something I'd have to start saving for.. but UFC on FUEL? nahh
Given the announcement of the main event it's fair to say my rumours were shit About as good as my predictions!