UFC President Dana White announced during the post-event press conference for UFC Vegas 70, this past Saturday, that there are plans underway for a return to Canada in 2023.
The topic of discussion came off the heels of a welterweight matchup between Canadians Mike Malott and Yohan Lainesse. In this bout, Malott (9-1) defeated Lainesse (9-2) by way of an arm triangle choke in the first round.
Another Canadian on the card, Jasmine Jasudavicius, took home a unanimous decision victory over Gabriella Fernandes and improved her record to 8-2.
“Canada is and always has been a very important market to us.”
Following #UFCVegas70 Dana White says the promotion is working on Canadian return, will be there “soon.” @Michael_Malott @JasJasudavicius
Full vid: https://t.co/qFy4KqouPN
Full story: https://t.co/hbU3RI5NxB pic.twitter.com/nR1nySrdnu— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) February 26, 2023
“Yes, yes, yes and yes, White said. “Obviously, it’s huge to have rising stars that are Canadian and guys that are actually legit and can really fight. And there’s no doubt both of those guys that fought tonight are. Malott looked incredible. And yes, we’re working on getting back to Canada ASAP. This is going to be the year that you know- the whole COVID thing, it’s gonna take us a few years to get back and hit every place that we need to hit. But the great part of it is that all these places are chomping at the bit to get a UFC event back there. Canada is and always has been a very important market to us. So we’re working on it. Yeah, we’ll be there soon.”
Ever since Justin Gaethje’s unforgettable fight with Donald Cerrone at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena in 2019, the UFC has not made a return to Canada.