MMA: UFC Returns to Chicago, FX Debut, Lawsuit in NY and the Week's Biggest News

Following a star-studded network television debut, the UFC wasted little time announcing more events and matchups for the coming year.

Perhaps the biggest news is a return to the Windy City on Jan. 28 for the second Fox event.

Also announced was the promotion's first event on the Fox-owned FX channel.  The date will be Jan. 20 and the location will be Nashville, Tenn.

In an effort to legalize the sport in the state of New York, the promotion has brought litigation against the current ban.  The suit challenges the constitutionality of the law.

Furthermore, fight cards for a number of upcoming events have taken shape.

Rob Tatum is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at TheMMACorner.com.  For anything related to MMA, you can follow Rob on Twitter  @RobTatumMMA.

Second Event on Fox Likely Slated for Chicago on Jan. 28

With 34 events planned in 2012, the UFC is laying out their schedule for the coming months.

According to UFC President Dana White, the promotion will return to Chicago on Jan. 28 for UFC on Fox 2.  The event is expected to take place at the city's United Center.

Initial rumors hinted that middleweight title fight between champion Anderson Silva and challenger Chael Sonnen was being targeted for the main event.  That, however, was shot down by White, who stated that the event would not feature a title bout.

Source: MMA Fighting

Miller-Guillard Tabbed as Main Event for First FX Event

The Bridgestone Arena will be home to the first UFC card to be broadcast on FX.  The venue previously hosted UFC Fight Night 18 in 2009.  It is unclear at this time as to whether the event will be titled “UFC Fight Night” or if it will the FX events will be given a unique title.

UFC President Dana White has revealed that lightweights Jim Miller and Melvin Guillard will meet in the main event.   The fight is expected to be three rounds.

The Jan. 20 event will also feature welterweights Josh Neer and Duane Ludwig and heavyweights Christian Morecraft and Pat Barry.

Source: UFC, Twitter

UFC Challenges MMA Ban in New York

The UFC and a group of plaintiffs that includes fighters, fans, trainers and others have filed a lawsuit against New York State officials, challenging the state's ban on the sport of mixed martial arts.

The contention is that the ban is violating provisions of the United States Constitution, including the First Amendment, the Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause.

More specifically, the lawsuit claims that the ban infringes upon the rights of the fighters who want to publicly exhibit their skills as professionals and express themselves before a live audience, the rights of fans who would like to experience live professional MMA events, and the rights of those who train, publicize or otherwise advance MMA in New York. 

Source: UFC

Pettis Battles Lauzon at UFC 144 in Japan

Saitama, Japan will be the host of an important collision in the UFC's lightweight division.

UFC President Dana White announced that former WEC champion Anthony Pettis and Joe Lauzon will lock horns at UFC 144.  The fight is expected to be part of the main-card pay-per-view broadcast.

UFC 144 takes place Feb. 26 and features a lightweight championship bout between Frankie Edgar and top contender Ben Henderson.

SOURCE: UFC

Featherweight Collision Between Dustin Poirier and Erik Koch on Tap for UFC 143

Following an impressive second-round submission win at UFC on Fox 1, Dustin Poirier asked for a bout with fellow featherweight contender Erik Koch.

His request has been granted.

The two rising challengers will meet in Las Vegas at UFC 143 on Feb. 4 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.  Both fighters have verbally agreed to the match-up.

SOURCE: UFC

UFC 141 Gets Ramsey Nijem vs. Anthony Njokuani, Nam Phan vs. Jim Hettes

UFC 141 has continued to fill up, as two additional fights have been added to the Dec. 30 card.

Lightweights Ramsey Nijem and Anthony Njokuani are being targeted for the event.

Also, the organization revealed that featherweights Jim Hettes and Nam Phan have verbally agreed to square off at the event.

UFC 141 takes place Dec. 30 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and features a heavyweight clash between Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem.

Source: UFC

Yushin Okami to Face Tim Boetsch at UFC 144

Recent middleweight title challenger contender Yushin Okami will return to action for the first time since falling short against champ Anderson Silva at UFC 134.

In his way will be Tim Boetsch, who he takes on in his native Japan at UFC 144 on Feb. 26.

UFC President Dana White announced that the two fighters have verbally agreed to the bout.

Source: UFC

Brazil's UFC 142 Card Fills out with Five Bouts

The UFC's Jan. 14 return to Rio de Janeiro has added five additional fights.

Recently signed Shooto champ Siyar Bahadurzada will make his Octagon debut against Erick Silva, who destroyed fellow Brazilian Luis Ramos in his own debut in August.

Also on tap for the card is a battle of light heavyweights.  Verbal agreements are in place for Fabio Maldonado to meet Stanislav Nedkov.

Middleweights Rousimar Palhares and Mike Massenzio will clash on Palhares’ home turf.  UFC president Dana White today announced that verbal agreements are in place for the fight.

Antonio Carvalho is slated to make his Octagon debut against fellow featherweight Felipe Arantes.  Carvalho was scheduled to make his debut at UFC 134 against Yuri Alcantara, but an injury forced him out of the bout.

Undefeated heavyweight Ednaldo Oliveira has signed a multi-fight deal with the promotion and will make his debut at the event against an as-yet undetermined opponent.

Source: UFC

K.J. Noons Meets Billy Evangelista at ‘Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal’

A battle of lightweights will grace the Dec. 17 Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal event, as former title challenger K.J. Noons meets Billy Evangelista on the main card.

The event takes place at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego.

The event’s main card airs on Showtime.

Source: MMAJunkie

Rich Attonito vs. Jake Hecht Completes UFC 140 Lineup

The UFC 140 fight card is again complete. 

Welterweight Rich Attonito will square off against promotional newcomer Jake Hecht. 

The event takes place Dec. 10 from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto and is headlined by a light heavyweight championship fight between Lyoto Machida and Jon Jones.

SOURCE: MMA Junkie