UFC returning to Montreal in November or December?

Earlier this week, UFC president Dana White flew in to Toronto, Ontario to continue the media blitz for UFC 87: Seek and Destroy.

Amidst all the talk of Roger Huerta’s contract issues and Quinton Jackson’s arrest, White stated that the UFC was in the process of closing a deal that would see the Las Vegas-based promotion return to Montreal, Quebec before the end of the year. In an interview with The Canadian Press, White said, “I literally just left a meeting where we were talking about that. We’re looking to come back to Montreal.”

White continued on by saying the organization hopes to return in November or December.

The UFC’s Canadian debut was a resounding success which saw 21,390 boisterous fans pack the Bell Centre to cheer on hometown favorite Georges “Rush” St. Pierre. The event broke UFC attendance records and the gate closed at $5 million.

Yesterday the guys at Fight Linker raised a very interesting point regarding the UFC’s rumored return. The Montreal Canadiens currently have the Bell Centre booked for the majority of both November and December. The only current dates available are Nov. 1st, Nov. 8th and Dec. 27th.

Should they decide to return in early November, it would mark the UFC’s third event in the span of four weeks, mind you that’s never slowed them down. The UFC is currently scheduled to go to England on October 18th and Illinois on October 25th.

The only other possible venue is Montreal’s Olympic Stadium but at this point that seems like a risky option. Olympic Stadium was constructed in July 1976 and has a seating capacity of 65,000+.

Tonight’s event will have huge implications on the UFC’s decision as the card is expected to be headlined by Georges St. Pierre, if victorious, who will defend his UFC welterweight title against UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn.