UFC's Boston debut set for Aug. 28

The Ultimate Fighting Championship makes its Boston debut on Aug. 28.

UFC president Dana White, who formerly lived in Boston, told the Boston Herald the organization will host an event at the 19,000-capacity TD Garden on the date, though an official announcement won't be made until closer to the show.

Back in November Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law a bill that calls for the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission to become the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission and oversee MMA events.

White has long expressed his interest in a Boston event but first needed the state adopt legislation to oversee the show.

Massachusetts State Athletic Commission official were not available today for confirmation of the event.

White, though, tells the newspaper that the event will feature many regional fighters (possibilities include Kenny Florian, Marcus Davis and Joe Lauzon). However, rumors of a potential Brock Lesnar main event are premature, he said, since the heavyweight champ's health status is still unknown.

While a guest on MMAjunkie.com Radio in November, White said the UFC would "absolutely" makes its Boston debut in mid-2010, and he said shows at both Fenway Park and TD Garden (also known as the Boston Garden) were under consideration for the debut show.

"We're not going to do one fight there (in Boston)," White said. "We'll be coming back. You've got Fenway Park and the Garden. It's awesome."

The UFC aggressively targeted New York and Massachusetts this year when legislation was introduced to regulate MMA. New York is inching closer to a similar bill that could open the door for the UFC to host a show in New York City.

UFC headed to Bean Town sounds sweet to me.

I will go if it is in Boston jsut for fun
but no way it happens in New York, it was 27 votes to none last time they coted if i remember correct

The New York Commissioner has been at a lot of shows in NJ and CT, she likes the sport and wants it. The main opponent to MMA in New York has kind of dropped back into the background and isn't vocal anymore.

The state Assembly's Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Sports Development voted 14-6 in June to pass a bill that would enable the state's athletic commission to regulate the sport. The bill will now move to the full Assembly for a vote.