UFC
UFC NEWS: UFC shoots down rumors of Chicago venue for UFC 123 in November, looking at multiple locations
Aug 12, 2010 - 9:45:16 AM UFC NEWS: UFC shoots down rumors of Chicago venue for UFC 123 in November, looking at multiple locations

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The UFC will not make their return to Chicago this November, despite rumors that UFC 123 would be heading to the city on November 20.

According to UFC vice president of regulatory affairs Marc Ratner in comments made to MMAFighting.com, the rumors are simply untrue, though the organization was looking at the city's United Center initially.

"The circus is in town at the United Center," Ratner said. "We're looking at different venues – we had to wait for the NBA schedule to come out officially yesterday, and we'll probably make a decision for Nov. 20 in the next week."

While the UFC has run at the Allstate Arena, most recently at UFC 90 in October of 2008, that venue is in a suburb of Chicago, and the UFC was looking at both the higher capacity and proximity to downtown Chicago that the United Center represents. But fans in Chicago should note that the UFC is looking at returning to the city in early 2011.

Ratner mentioned a number of cities that they're looking at for the November 20 event, which, as he said, would likely be determined in the next week.

"Milwaukee would be a great market for us, as well as Pittsburgh," Ratner said. "We're looking at Philadelphia again. So we just have a lot of things. But the rest of this year, except for Nov. 20, we are booked up."

The UFC 123 card is expected to be headlined by a light heavyweight bout between Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Lyoto Machida.

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Penick's Analysis: It's too bad that it didn't work out to make the return for this event, but it's good they're looking to head back next year. I'd personally like to see Milwaukee get an event now that their regulation starts up next month, but they still may be getting the WEC card in December, so I think the UFC's decision may hinge on that. Fans here in Minnesota are also still waiting for the organization to return, but really any Midwest shows will be welcome, as they haven't run in the area often.