UFC Returns To Atlantic City, New Jersey With Local Fighters

The UFC will officially return to Atlantic City this year for the first time since April of 2018. The announced Main Event matchup will feature fighters with local connections on as the number one Mixed Martial Arts organization in the world looks to put on a big show in their return to Southern New Jersey.

UFC CEO Dana White announced multiple fights for upcoming events on Friday Night and part of his announcement was who will be the Headliners for UFC Fight Night Atlantic City on March 30th.  Jim Whelan's Boardwalk Hall will be hosting a showdown of two of the top ten Welterweights in MMA, Number Seven Ranked Sean Brady versus Number Nine Ranked Vicente Luque.

With a 16-1 MMA record, Sean Brady is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is fighting for the opportunity to receive a UFC Title shot.  His most recent fight he defeated The Ultimate Fighter 17 Tournament Winner and former UFC Title Contender Kevin Gastelum.  Brady is the former CFFC Welterweight Champion and he is 7-0 when he fights in Atlantic City.  His one career loss came in the UFC fight outside the United States (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 2022).

Winning 11 of his last 14 fights, Vicente Luque was born in Westwood, New Jersey and currently trains in Florida full-time. Luque has earned eight UFC Performance of the Night/Fight of the Night Bonuses during his MMA career for his style of fighting that always puts pressure on his opponents.  Luque's most recent fight was a victory over former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos.

The UFC Fight Night Atlantic City fight card also features other fighters from the region. The number two ranked Women's Flyweight Erin Blanchfield from Elmwood Park, New Jersey is scheduled to face number three ranked Manon Fiorot.  Training out of Renzo Gracie Academy's Silver Fox BJJ in Northern New Jersey, Blanchfield is currently on a nine fight winning streak and if she wins on March 30th, she should be next in line to fight for the UFC Women's Flyweight Title.

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall also will welcome former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman for the March 30th fight card. After three years of hold the championship belt, the Fighter from Long Island, New York had injuries that derailed his MMA career and has four of his last six fights.  The former champion (15-7 MMA record) is facing Brazilian Knockout Artist Bruno Silva, who has 20 wins by knockout.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship hosted the first professional MMA event in Atlantic City on November 17, 2000.  The main event featured Six-time UFC Champion and MMA Legend Randy Couture.  Also on that first UFC Fight Card in Atlantic City were future UFC Heavyweight Champions Josh Barnett and Andre Arlovski along with future UFC Lighweight Champion Jens Pulver.