Spike to air October event
Quote:
Spike TV expected to air Oct. 16 event, possibly UFC 120, from London
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is expected to host its next U.K. show in October, and the show is slated to air for free on Spike TV in the U.S.
The event, potentially UFC 120, is expected to take place Oct. 16 at The O2 in London, England, sources close to the show today told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com).
Although not officially set, the show is in the works and could be finalized in the next month. It's expected to air via same-day delay in North America.
No fighters officially have been tapped for the overseas card, but a source said – health and schedule permitting – British welterweight contender Dan Hardy could be featured prominently in the event. The Team Rough House fighter hasn't competed since a tough-fought unanimous-decision loss to champion Georges St-Pierre at UFC 111 in March. The loss snapped Hardy's seven-fight win streak.
Other U.K. fighters, such as recent signee Paul Sass (an undefeated lightweight who began his career with seven consecutive victories via triangle choke), could also make the lineup.
The UFC hasn't hosted a show in the U.K. since November 2009, when a UFC-European record 16,693 spectators packed Manchester's MEN Arena for UFC 105. The UFC hasn't ventured to London since UFC 95, which took place in February 2009. The show drew 13,268 fans for an approximate $1 million gate.
The UFC, which opened a U.K. office in 2006 following the hiring of division head Marshall Zelaznik, held three U.K. shows in 2007 and three more in 2008. Two were held in 2009 (though the UFC also made its debut in nearby Ireland that year).
While Spike TV often hosts smaller shows such as UFC Fight Night events and The Ultimate Fighter Finales, the UFC's longtime cable partner sometimes carries major shows, such as UFC 105 and UFC 75. To assure the shows air in primetime in the U.S., Spike TV broadcasts the shows on a same-day delay of five to eight hours.
I can't wait to see who ends up on this card
