Although it was initially rumored that the UFC was planning a return to Abu Dhabi this March, recent reports have shed light on the promotion’s inability to secure a venue for the event. Now Sportsnet’s “Showdown” Joe Ferraro reports that the March 19th card, featuring Mauricio “Shogun” Rua defending his light heavyweight title against Rashad Evans, will instead take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey:
The light heavyweight title fight between champion Mauricio (Shogun) Rua and former champ (Suga) Rashad Evans is expected to take place at UFC 129 on Mar. 19 at The Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey, sources tell Showdown Joe Ferraro.
This will be the UFC’s third trip to Newark following UFC 78 in November of 2007, and UFC 111 last March. Also expected for the card are a light heavyweight bout between Tito Ortiz and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, and standout Japanese featherweight Michihiro Omigawa taking on wrestling stud, Chad Mendes. Expect other NJ-natives such as Ricardo Almeida and Jim and Dan Miller to factor into this card as well.
The Newark card will likely end up being called UFC 128, not 129, as it doesn’t appear that there’s any time for an additional “numbered” event following UFC 127 on 2/27, and UFC on Versus 3 on 3/3, but stay tuned to Bloody Elbow for updates once this event is officially confirmed.