UFC Returning to Chicago: Dana White Says Summer Return a Possibility

Chris HumphreyMar 14, 2011

The UFC will make its long awaited return back to the Windy City for the first time since UFC 90 back in October of 2008.

UFC president Dana White spoke to the Chicago Sun-Times saying, "We’re looking at dates for this summer." He also added, "It’s tentative, but it’s lightly penciled in,” in response.

UFC 90 was held in nearby Rosemont, Ill. at the Allstate Arena in front of 15,000 plus people with the headline bout of Anderson Silva defending his middleweight title against Patrick Cote.

For the upcoming event in Chicago, the United Center will likely be the choice for the venue as the UFC always runs its main numbered show on Saturday nights. With the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks' seasons ending around the beginning of the summer, the arena should be open for the UFC to use for a fight card.

While speaking of the new Chicago UFC event, White also spoke of the promotion's wanting to make it to the biggest market in the country: New York City.

“We’ve gone into other countries faster than we’ve gotten to New York,” he said in the difficulties in gaining the NYC market. “It’s ridiculous that we’re not in New York. It’s nothing that I’m obsessed with or our business depends on it, but it’s the last [major] state. We’d like to get it done."

The UFC has been stymied by the state of New York not officially legalizing the sport of mixed martial arts while 44 of the 48 continental United States having already legalized it.

In true Dana White fashion, he took a bit of a shot at our neighbors to the North.

“Obviously, we’re one of the top sports out there. To be honest with you—and I’m going to piss a bunch of Canadians off—but you’ve got football, baseball, basketball, then the UFC and then hockey.”

UFC 128 is set to take place this Saturday in Newark, N.J. with the headlining main event bout of light heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua taking on up-and-coming challenger Jon Jones.