UFC will return to Prudential Center with January card
Anthony Johnson celebrates after beating Antonio Rogerio Nogueira by technical knockout during the first round of a light heavyweight bout at a UFC on Fox event in San Jose, Calif., on July 26, 2014. Credit: AP
It's not the Madison Square Garden show the UFC was hoping would happen in December, but the promotion is making its return to the New York area early next year.
"UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader" will be held on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, according to the promotion's official website.
Five fights have been announced for the event thus far, including a light-heavyweight main event between No. 1 Anthony Johnson and No. 3 Ryan Bader. "Rumble" Johnson (20-5) last fought in September, defeating Jimi Manuwa by knockout after losing a title fight to the current champion, Daniel Cormier, earlier in the year.
Bader (20-4), who has been eyeing a shot at Cormier since the champ beat Johnson, last fought former champion Rashad Evans in October, taking a three-round decision.
Also on the card will be welterweight Jake Ellenberger facing former Strikeforce champion Tarec Saffiedine, as well as New Jersey native George Sullivan in a welterweight bout against Alexander Yakovlev.
In the lightweight division, Canadian prospect Olivier Aubin-Mercier will face Joaquim Silva and Felipe Olivieri is scheduled to fight Tony Martin.
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