UFC set for Miami return after 16-year absence

After a 16-year absence from the city many refer to as the capital of Latin America, the UFC is finally returning to Miami.

That’s according to a report from Combate, the promotion’s official broadcast partner in Brazil. The Globosat-owned channel cited sources “connected” to the UFC as the basis for its story.

Despite being the economic capital of South Florida, Miami has not hosted a UFC event since 2003’s UFC 42: Sudden Impact, which saw Matt Hughes successfully defend his welterweight championship in the main event against Sean Sherk.

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The event has served as the company’s sole fight card in th city – that is, until this year. According to Combate, the American Airlines Arena will play host to a Fight Night card on April 27. The venue is best known as the home of the Miami Heat NBA franchise, and regularly holds concerts as well as WWE live events.

The UFC last visited Florida almost a year ago, when the Amway Center in Orlando saw Jeremy Stephens defeat Josh Emmett in their featherweight main event of UFC on Fox 28 on February 24.

Featured image credit: “American Airlines Arena” (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by Paolo Rosa