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Dana White Announces UFC Will Hold Event in UK for 1st Time in 3 Years
January 19, 2022
UFC President Dana White announced Wednesday that the UFC will return to the United Kingdom in March for the first time since 2019.
According to ESPN, White said the following in a statement: "Every time we put on an event in London it's an unbelievable experience. The fans are incredible, and the fights are always off the charts. It's a different kind of energy in England. And I can't wait to get back there with a fight card on March 19."
The event will emanate from the O2 Arena in London on March 19, although no fights have been announced for the card yet.
The UFC's last U.K. event also occurred at the O2 Arena. UFC Fight Night 147 was headlined by Jorge Masvidal and Brit Darren Till, and it ended in a second-round knockout in favor of Masvidal.
Leon Edwards, who resides in England and was born in Jamaica, beat Gunnar Nelson by split decision in the semi-main event.
The UFC had been scheduled to return to London for another UFC Fight Night in March 2020, but it was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic,
That card would have been headlined by Edwards taking on Tyron Woodley in a welterweight bout.
It also would have included other U.K, natives such as Danny Roberts, Jack Marshman and Darren Stewart.
Edwards was supposed to fight Masvidal at UFC 269 in December, but Masvidal pulled out because of an undisclosed injury. Now, Masvidal is scheduled for a bout with Colby Covington at UFC 272 in March.
That means Edwards vs. Masvidal isn't on the table for the U.K. show, but Edwards should be available for the main event if the UFC wants to go in that direction.
The 19-3 Edwards has not fought since beating Nate Diaz at UFC 263 in June, and UFC Fight Night in his home country would be the ideal environment for him to make his return.