Local mixed martial arts fans can get out their 2010 calendars and circle Aug. 28. That’s the date the UFC is scheduled to hold a pay-per-view event at TD Garden.
UFC president Dana White told the Herald yesterday that his organization has reserved the date, but an official announcement won’t be made until the day draws closer.
White has big plans for the UFC’s first Boston show.
“Believe me when I tell you, I’m gonna bring it back this summer,” White told the Herald. “I’m going to put on a show that’s going to blow the (expletive) roof off that place.”
White was anxiously awaiting the passing of legislation to regulate MMA in Massachusetts. That news came last month, when Gov. Deval Patrick signed the bill into law, paving the way for the UFC to come to the Bay State.
White has deep ties to the area, having lived in South Boston in his 20s before moving to Las Vegas to launch the UFC into the world’s premier MMA organization.
“You know how much this means to me and how long I’ve wanted to come there and how much I love the city of Boston,” White said. “People like (the Herald) and a lot of the radio stations and personal friends and some bar owners in Boston have been really good to me since Day 1.”
With the event eight months away, it’s too early to project specific matchups. The only guarantee is that the numerous local UFC fighters will hound White for the opportunity to fight at the Garden.
Brock Lesnar was one name rumored to be targeted for the card. But the heavyweight champion is still dealing with diverticulitis, a serious intestinal disease that has kept him out of action for months.
“That’s total (expletive),” White said of rumors that Lesnar is being considered to headline the Boston card. “I’m not targeting him for any fight right now. I don’t even know what the hell is going to happen to him. Right now, fighting is the least of his worries. This guy wants to live a normal, quality life. He’s not even thinking about fighting right now.”
With the plans in place to hold a show at the Garden, White’s desire to have an event at Fenway Park [map] has been temporarily shelved. But White said he still wants to have a show at the ballpark, with the summer of 2011 the most likely date.
