UFC Planning an Event for Japan in 2011

It’s been more than a decade since the UFC made a trip to Japan, but it appears the wait for them to go back is over.

On Thursday, UFC President Dana White revealed plans that will see the promotion go to the Land of the Rising Sun in 2011.

“The rumor is true, we’re going to come to Japan and probably very soon,” White said. “This year.”

The UFC hasn’t gone to Japan for an event since 2000 with a card headlined by Tito Ortiz taking on Wanderlei Silva, which was UFC 25.

More than 100 events later, the UFC will be heading back to Japan.

There were more than a few concerns raised about an event being held there after massive earthquakes rocked Japan earlier this year, and at the time White sounded as if the promotion wouldn’t go there for quite some time.

Now he seems ready to forge ahead and bring the UFC back to Japan.

The promotion currently houses several top fighters from Japan, that much like the show coming up in Brazil, could feature many of them on the show. Fighters such as Yushin Okami, Takanori Gomi, as well as recently signed featherweight star Hatsu Hioki could all be a big draw fighting in their home country.

White didn’t reveal a timeline for when they hope to go to Japan, but did say it would be before the close of 2011.

Damon Martin is the lead staff writer and radio host for MMAWeekly.com.
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