The Ultimate Fighting Championship invaded Calgary today to announce their debut show in the city as UFC 149 will take place on July 21st from the Pengrowth Saddledome. It was the first time that UFC President Dana White visited the Alberta city and the great news for Canadian fans did not stop there.
Director of Canadian Operations Tom Wright was also on hand to announce two additional Pay Per View shows for the country in 2012. UFC 152 will take place in Toronto on September 22nd, and UFC 154 will go down in Montreal on November 17th.
Canadian fighters Mark Hominick and George St-Pierre were beamed in via satellite for the announcement and the November show could mark a much anticipated return for the welterweight champion St-Pierre.
It was also announced that the UFC has made a commitment to Toronto and Montreal as their Canadian anchor cities for the next two years.
No fights were confirmed for any of the Canadian shows but it was announced that Jose Aldo will defend his title in Calgary against an opponent to be named later. Despite no commitments yet, UFC President Dana White promised to deliver a “sick” card for the salivating fight fans of western Canada
Alberta fighters Nick Ring, Mitch Clarke and Jason MacDonald were on hand at the conference, and Macdonald announced that he would like to retire in the cage after a fight in Calgary in July. To be considered for that card, MacDonald must put in a good fight and come out healthy against Tom Lawlor at UFC On Fuel TV 3 in May.
Keep it tuned in here to Bleacher Report MMA for all updates and confirmed fights announced for those three Canadian shows.
Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA, MMA Editor at CKSN.ca and guest blogger for Sportsnet.ca
Catch him on Facebook and Twitter at wakafightermma.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com