UFC Sets Boston Return For August
The UFC will officially be returning to Boston in 2013 after an almost three year hiatus.
President Dana White, who spent part of his childhood in Ware, Massachusetts, announced on Twitter that the company would be returning to the TD Garden on August 17. It was less than a month ago that he announced UFC’s return to the Hub and teased that it was “sooner than people think.” One of the possible dates floating around was July 27 for UFC on Fox 8, but that event is now being held at Key Arena in Seattle.
The first — and only — time a UFC event was held in Boston was August 28, 2010, for UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2. In front of 14,168 UFC fans, B.J. Penn defeated Frankie Edgar for the second time to regain his 155-pound championship title. Also on the card for the night were local fighters Joe Lauzon, who grew up in Brockton and East Bridgewater, and Kenny Florian, who grew up in Dover. Lauzon defeated Gabe Ruediger by armbar submission at 2:01 in the first round. Florian fell to Gray Maynard by unanimous decision.
Specifics of the August 17 fight card have not yet been released, but what is known is that it will air on Fox Sports 1, which will make its network debut the same day. The launch will also include the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The launch is part of Fox’s plans to rebrand Speed and Fuel TV as Fox Sports 1 and 2 in an effort to compete with ESPN.
We are FINALLY going back to Boston at the TD Garden on Aug 17th for the launch of FOX Sports 1!! We are bringing a SICK card ?
— Dana White (@danawhite) March 29, 2013
The next UFC event is UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi, which will take place at the Ericcson Globe Arena in Stockholm on April 6. After that, it’s back to the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas for The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen finale on April 13.
Who would you like to see on the fight card for the UFC’s return to Boston?
