Dana White has said that confirmation of a date for a UFC numbered event is going to come in ‘literally days’, with a night of action set to be scheduled for 2024.
UFC have only held two numbered events in the United Kingdom, with their last outing – UFC 286 – coming in March 2023.
That night saw welterweight champion Leon Edwards defend his title in five rounds over Kamaru Usaman in front of a rapt crowd at the O2 Arena.
But with the ascendancy of British fighters including Edwards and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, fans have been clamouring for more action on UK soil.
On Tuesday, the franchise president was able to put them out of their misery and confirm that the organisation was set to deliver the long-promised fight this year.
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Dana White confirmed that UFC will be heading to the United Kingdom for an event in 2024
The last numbered event came last year when Leon Edwards successfully defended his welterweight championship at the O2
Tom Aspinall’s success in the heavyweight division has added fuel to the argument to bring UFC to England
‘I have an English heavyweight champion and lots of other European stars,’ White told TNT Sports. ‘But two champs now out of England.
‘So we have these teams that build their different pieces of the puzzle. Then they come together with me, and I start trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together – “no, this doesn’t fit here, this has got to go” – that’s how it all works.
‘We have these fights going on that are like, “wait, we’re going to do this where?” No. We’re going to England.
‘We’re coming, and I got great fights lined up for the UK fans and I’m excited to get back there.
‘Haven’t been to England in a minute. I’m excited to get back there.’
When queried on when the announcement and full details of the planned clashes would come, White added: ‘Literally, in days’.
‘We’re right there, working on this stuff. We’ve got some bada** plans for England.’
Rather than staging a Fight Night, White also stressed that it would be: ‘Numbered cards. Pay-per-view. A great one.’
White previously hyped a British double-header after Edwards’ defeat of Colby Covington, saying that it ‘made sense’ that the champion’s next fight take place in his home country.
The 32-year-old even suggested that an event on home soil could take place at Villa Park
Edwards himself echoed the statement, adding: ‘UK martial arts is popping right now, You have me, Tom Aspinall and it would be great to headline a card in the UK – have me and Tom headline it.
‘That’s my dream and I know it’s Tom’s too to go back home and have a massive sold-out stadium event.’
The 32-year-old even suggested a venue for the event, during a half-time appearance in the wake of his title defence during his beloved Aston Villa’s 3-2 victory against Burnley.
‘I will defend my belt in April at UFC 300 in Vegas again, then hopefully in the summertime get a fight back home in Birmingham at Villa Park,’ Edwards told the crowd.
