The UFC is expected to return to New Zealand and Brazil in the first quarter of 2020, as dates for the new year continue to slowly trickle out.
The UFC has yet to officially announce its schedule for Q1 2020, but a couple of dates have been revealed. Per a report by MMA Fighting, the promotion will return to Brasilia, Brazil on March 14, 2020. A few weeks earlier, they’ll be back in New Zealand, per a report by journalist Neil Rooke.
UFC officials later confirmed the New Zealand date with NZ Herald. The Fight Night event will be the promotion’s first show in the country in two years, and is expected to take place February 23 (or February 22 in North America). While no bouts have been announced, the card will take place at the Spark Arena in Auckland, and air via ESPN+.
The promotion’s last trip to Auckland saw Mark Hunt take on Derrick Lewis in the main event of UFC Fight Night 110 in 2017. Hunt has since moved on from the promotion, although Dan Hooker is likely a lock for the card.
The Brasilia date, like the Auckland card, is expected to be a Fight Night event. The UFC has twice traveled to the Brazilian city for Fight Night events, most recently hosting Cyborg vs. Lansberg there in 2016. Cris Cyborg, of course, recently signed with Bellator MMA.
