Dana White announced after Saturday night’s UFC on FOX show that the next network event would take place on Saturday, December 13, at the U.S. Airways Arena in Phoenix, Ariz.
No matches were announced for the show, which would be the first time the UFC has ever been in the city.
Phoenix is home to two of UFC biggest stars, former lightweight champion Benson Henderson, who is scheduled to headline against Rafael dos Anjos on Aug. 23 in Tulsa, and light heavyweight Ryan Bader, who faces Ovince St. Preux one week earlier. Phoenix is also the home of Arizona State University. The ASU wrestling team has produced many of UFC’s biggest stars, including heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, who would not be able to fight on the show since he’s defending his title against Fabricio Werdum one month earlier in Mexico City, along with Dan Severn, Don Frye, C.B. Dollaway, Bader, Dan Henderson, Aaron Simpson and John Moraga.
The December show, which has become a tradition on FOX, is usually one of the most-watched UFC events of the year due to promotion during NFL games on FOX.
While it will be the Phoenix market’s first UFC event, the area was also the site of one of the most memorable moments and greatest fights in Zuffa history, which came during the final WEC show on Dec. 10, 2010 in Glendale, Ariz. The show ended with Anthony Pettis springing off the cage and nailing Henderson in the side of the head with his famed “Showtime Kick,” which led to Pettis winning a decision and becoming the final WEC lightweight champion.