BUFFALO, N.Y. -- It's an event 22 years in the making: the Ultimate Fighting Championship is returning to Buffalo for UFC 210.
"It means a lot, especially as the champion, the top of the card, the head of the marquee. To come back to Buffalo is awesome. This region between Buffalo, Upstate New York and Canada, they've been phenomenal to me and Anthony. We will have sold out two arenas in four months in this region. So very happy to be here in Buffalo," said UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier.
MMA fans were not let down: not only is the 205 pound championship on the line between Daniel Cormier and Anthony "Rumble" Johnson, but native New Yorker and former champion Chris Weidman is on the card.
"To be the face of the event after 22 years of being away, it's an honor to be able to do this. I can't wait to see what happens," said UFC light heavyweight challenger Anthony Johnson.
All the fighters are looking forward to reintroducing Buffalo to the sports of MMA.
"I know there are a lot of people from Buffalo and the surrounding areas that are excited to watch it. To have to go all the way to Las Vegas for all of these big fights is expensive. I am happy that these fans finally get to watch fights," said UFC middleweight Chris Weidman.
"I know the story, I know the history of the UFC and it has been two decades that they didn't come here. I wanted to be part of the history and on the Buffalo card for sure," said UFC welterweight Patrick Cote.
UFC 210 gets underway Saturday at 6:15 p.m.