The UFC will return to Connecticut for the first time since 2005 when its traveling roadshow ventures into Ledyard’s Foxwoods Resort Casino on September 5 for a UFC Fight Night event, the promotion announced on Saturday during the FOX Sports 1 pre-show for TUF Brazil 3 Finale.
A headliner for the show has yet to be finalized, although an announcement is expected to be made in the coming days.
The UFC staged events in Connecticut four times throughout the early 2000’s, but had yet to return to the state since Andrei Arlovski defeated Paul Buentello in 15 seconds to claim the vacant UFC heavyweight strap at UFC 55.
This time, though, the UFC will be going head-to-head across the interstate, as Bellator 123 — Viacom’s season 11 Bellator debut — is also scheduled to take place on Friday, September 5, just 10 miles away at the nearby Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CN.
Bellator 123’s card is expected to feature a middleweight fight between UFC veteran James Irvin and former title challenger Brennan Ward, along with the opening legs of the promotion’s season 11 middleweight tournament.