Never say the UFC doesn't go big. Starting early last week, rumors have been flying that the promotion planned to air two shows in one day to coincide with it's return to Japan, and now the whispers have come true. According to UFC President Dana White, when the UFC revisits the "Land of the Rising Sun" on February 26th, a pay-per-view show in Las Vegas will directly proceed it on February 25th. Due to the heavy time difference, this essentially means that fans will get two shows in one night.
"The way that it would work, the fights from Japan would go on live TV for free and lead into a pay-per-view," White excitedly explained after UFC on Versus 6. "It would be live in Japan and live in the United States."
While the UFC has yet to designate the Japan card as a full-fledged event or simply a Fight Night, it hasn't seemed to matter much to fighters. Thus far a cadre of old-school Pride names have called to return to the legendary Saitama Super Arena, including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and Wanderlei Silva.
"Both cards (will be) stacked," White concluded. "The Japan card will be sick... We don't ever put (expletive) fights on free TV."
Plans for the card have yet to be announced at this time. MMA Nation Editor-In-Chief Luke Thomas recorded footage of the announcement below.