UFC 182 Is The End Of Year Show For 2014, Takes Place January 3, 2015

The UFC’s end of year shows are always a huge draw for fans, and quite rightly too. With festivity and parties happening the world over, and most people away from work, shows that fall between Christmas and New Year are an almost guaranteed hit. MMAJunkie.com reports that this years end of year showing has been moved back, and will take place on the first Saturday of 2015.

The event is UFC 182, and the headlining bout is rumored to be the return of lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, as he squares off against exciting former Strikeforce boss Gilbert Melendez. Last year the end of year show was UFC 168, headlined by Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman II, and sold over a million PPVs. As reported by Junkie:

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The move was necessitated by the calendar. Christmas falls on a Thursday this year, and rather than hosting an event just two days later, UFC 182 will take place the following Saturday, after the new year. Other year-end shows have also technically taken place in the new year due to the calendar. UFC 125, for example, took place on Jan. 1, 2011, rather than on Christmas Day in 2010.”

Perhaps Ronda Rousey would be available to partake in the proceedings at UFC 182, although it all depends how long she plans to take off after fighting Alexis Davis at UFC 175. Anderson Silva has spoke about an early 2015 return to fighting, and that would surely get 2015 off to a great start.

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After six months of injury woes, TRT controversy and a serious lack of championship bouts, it looks like things may be starting to look up for the UFC. There is light at the end of the tunnel in the form of UFC 182, and I’m excited to see Anthony Pettis attempt to defend the belt against ‘El Nino’ in the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada.