The UFC will be taking their 20th Fox installment out to the Windy City this summer.
Announced on UFC Tonight Wednesday night, the UFC announced a return to Chicago on July 23rd. The event will take place at the United Center. The Fox partnership with the UFC has flourished since its inception back in 2012 and shares a great history with Chicago’s own United Center, having featured four FOX channel events there. The first event featured a five-round Light Heavyweight match-up between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis, the second would feature the first championship bout between Demetrious Johnson and John Dodson, the third event – a Lightweight war between Benson Henderson and Josh Thomson, and most recently a Bantamweight championship match-up between then-champion TJ Dillashaw and Renan Barao.
No fights have been announced as of now and ticket information will be announced at a later date.
One important fact to note: Long time pro wrestler CM Punk, who signed with the UFC in December of 2014, has been eagerly awaiting a set match-up for his debut in MMA, but has been set back by a string of injuries. His opponent is already known to be Mickey Gall who earned the right when he defeated Mike Jackson at UFC Fight Night 81: Hendricks vs. Thompson. CM Punk is a beloved icon from the Chicago area and would idealy look to make his debut under the United Center lights.