UFC
UFC reportedly coming to Birmingham, England on Nov. 5 for UFC Fight Night 26 event
Jul 19, 2011 - 9:00:59 AM UFC reportedly coming to Birmingham, England on Nov. 5 for UFC Fight Night 26 event

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Though it was appearing that the UFC would not make it to the U.K. this year after a tentatively planned October date fell through, MMAJunkie.com now reports that the organization is moving forward with plans to bring an event to Birmingham, England, on November 5.

The event is expected to be the first overseas edition of the UFC's "Fight Night" series of events, which would make it UFC Fight Night 26. However, the report states that it could also be dubbed UFC 138, making the November 19 event in San Jose, Calif. UFC 139.

If all comes to fruition, the card will come to the LG Arena at the National Exhibition Centre, and regardless of the naming distinction, the card will air via same-day delay in the U.S. on Spike TV.

The UFC's only previous event in Birmingham was UFC 89 in 2008, which drew 9,515 to the National Indoor Arena for the card headlined by Michael Bisping and Chris Leben. This would mark the first event in the U.K. of 2011, and the first since October of last year.

Link to Original Source Article

Penick's Analysis: This card may become official in quick fashion, as UFC President Dana White is expected to join the ESPN UK UFC Podcast - which features MMATorch's UK Specialist Chris Park - to make a "major announcement" this week. This card could very well fit that bill for the U.K. audience. This news should be very welcome for fans in the U.K. who were expecting to not get an event this year anymore. This is actually the date that had actually been set aside for what would have been the UFC's debut in Sweden, though that also fell through. But if they had the date on Spike set, coming to the U.K. for a big card was a good move.