UFC planning returns to Boston and Ireland over the next two years

Michael Heiman

The UFC hasn't made its way to Boston in over two years, but according to Dana White, the wait for another card will come to an end next year.

The UFC has 2013 mapped out pretty far in advance. They already have cards for April and June booked, and in yesterday's MetroPCS online chat, Dana White announced some more planned visits for the next two years. Via MMA Junkie:

For the first time since 2010, the UFC will return to Boston, likely in 2013.

Additionally, for the first time since 2009, the organization plans to make a return to Ireland no later than 2014.

UFC President Dana White confirmed the plans during a MetroPCS online chat on Tuesday night.

"We're definitely coming back to Boston," White said. "I've actually been working on that lately. We'll definitely come to Boston next year, in '13."

The last -- and only -- time the UFC went to Boston was August 2010, where Frankie Edgar dominated B.J. Penn in the main event, and James Toney was unable to "legbar" Randy Couture in the co-main. Perhaps the highlight of the card was the memorable war between Andre Winner and Nik Lentz, a fight so fantastic that most fans don't ever want to watch something that awesome again.

UFC 93 marked Ireland's only card, which saw Dan Henderson edge out Rich Franklin in the main event. As he would later accomplish against Nate Diaz at UFC 118, Marcus Davis won Fight of the Night honors against Chris Lytle.

English and Irish cards have generally been scarce since 2009, with only 3 trips to England from 2010-2012 and nothing for Ireland or Northern Ireland in that same timespan.