The UFC officially announced all eleven bouts for their return to the Motor City for the first time since UFC IX in 1996. As we reported earlier this month, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will take on Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida at UFC 123: Rampage vs. Machida on November 20th from the Palace at Auburn Hills in Detroit, Michigan.
In addition to the six bouts announced earlier for the card, Tim Boetsch will face Phil Davis and Joe Lauzon will take on George Sotiropoulos on the main card. Matt Brown vs. Rory MacDonald, Darren Elkins vs. Edson Barboza and Paul Kelly vs. Gabe Ruediger have been added to the preliminary card.
"When you think of Detroit, the first names that come to mind are legends like Joe Louis and Tommy Hearns," UFC President Dana White said. "This is a real fight town with diehard fight fans, so I'm happy to be the guy bringing big fights to the Motor City."
"We're bringing the best UFC fighters here on November 20th," he added. "Rampage Jackson and Lyoto Machida are two of the top light heavyweights in the world. I expect this fight to be a war, as both of these guys want to get back in the title run. The co-main event is Matt Hughes vs. BJ Penn, two of the best fighters in UFC history. They have both beat each other and jumped at the opportunity to fight a third time."
"We've stayed in constant touch with the UFC for several years now in working together to develop an opportunity to place one of their electrifying events at The Palace of Auburn Hills," said Stu Mayer, Senior Vice President, Sports & Events for Palace Sports & Entertainment. "We're both extremely pleased that it's finally become a reality. UFC 123 will no doubt be embraced by the greater Detroit area and throughout the state of Michigan."
