The following is from UFC.com:
UFC 83: SERRA vs. ST-PIERRE 2 IS SOLD OUT
Las Vegas, NV (USA) –The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) organization today announced that the first UFC event in Canada UFC 83: SERRA vs. ST-PIERRE 2 taking place Saturday, April 19 live from Montreal’s Bell Centre is sold out, and that the event ranks as the fastest UFC sellout in history.
“Most of the tickets for UFC 83 were sold in the first 24 hours of our UFC Fight Club presale, and the rest were gone within one minute of the public on-sale today,” said Dana White, UFC President. “I’m excited to say that this event is a sellout, and the fastest one in UFC history, so it’s safe to say we definitely will be back in Canada after this inaugural event.”
“We are pleased to host the first UFC event in Canada. We are convinced that the quality of the event will thrill Quebecers who will witness home-province fighters Georges St-Pierre and Patrick Ct showcasing their courage and skills at the Bell Centre,” said Pierre Boivin, President of Gillett Entertainment Group.
More than 21,000 fight fans will gather at UFC 83 to watch Quebec’s own Georges “Rush” St-Pierre, the Interim UFC Welterweight Champion, attempt to become the undisputed champion in a rematch with reigning titleholder Matt “The Terror” Serra.
The UFC is currently researching additional viewing options for fans who could not obtain a ticket to the live event. More information on these options will be available in coming weeks.
UFC 83: SERRA vs. ST-PIERRE 2 is available live on pay-per-view at 10pm EST/7pm PST on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, Bell ExpressVu, Shaw Communications and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.95 for standard definition or high-definition broadcasts (where available).
Fighting out of Long Island, NY, Matt Serra (16-4) shocked the world a year ago by defeating St-Pierre by first round knockout for the UFC Welterweight Championship. Ever since then, many have speculated on the outcome of a rematch between the two. Serra was set to take on fellow The Ultimate Fighter Season 6 coach Matt Hughes in a fight on Dec. 29, but he suffered a herniated disc in his back during training and had to pull out of the fight. Now fully recovered, Serra is ready to head to Canada and defend his crown against the man he took it from at UFC 69.
“I’m actually excited to go to Canada and fight St-Pierre in his hometown,” said Serra. “I think this puts more pressure on him than it does me. I know he’s going to come at me hard, but I’m ready for that and I’m preparing for a great fight. I know that’s what I would do if a guy knocked me out like that. But I plan on staying the champ and taking my belt back home to Long Island.”
St-Pierre (15-2), fighting out Montreal, Quebec, Canada, became the UFC welterweight champion at UFC 65 when he stopped Matt Hughes in the second round. After losing his belt to Serra in April of 2007, St-Pierre rebounded in spectacular fashion, defeating Josh Koscheck at UFC 74 by a three round unanimous decision, and submitting Hughes in their rubber match for the 170 pound interim title at UFC 79. Now the former champion looks to regain the welterweight crown in his home province and prove to his fans and his country that he is the best 170 pound fighter in the world.
“I am at the same point as I was last year when I fought Matt Serra, except this time I am fighting as the contender not the champion,” said St-Pierre. “It’s a dream come true to have this historic UFC event in Canada, I’ve waited my whole life for this opportunity, and especially fighting for — and winning — the world title in front of my people.”
For more live UFC action, tickets are on sale for UFC 82: PRIDE OF A CHAMPION
taking place Saturday, March 1, 2008 live from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Tickets are priced at $400, $300, $200, $100 and $50 and are available at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, at all Ticketmaster ticket centers, online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.ufc.com and by phone at (614) 431-3600 . Tickets may also be purchased at the FSN Ohio Blue Line locations at the Chiller Ice Rinks and The Mall at Tuttle Crossing. All tickets are subject to facility fee and service charges.
For more information about UFC 82 or UFC 83 or any upcoming UFC event, visit www.ufc.com or uk.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change.
About The Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the world’s leading professional mixed martial arts organization and offers the premier series of MMA sports events. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC produces over twelve live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed residentially through North American cable and satellite providers including iNDEMAND Networks, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN Entertainment, Shaw Pay-Per-View, Bell ExpressVU, and Viewers Choice, and commercially through Joe Hand Promotions. In addition to its North American distribution, UFC programming is distributed in over 100 countries and territories throughout the world. For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit www.ufc.com or uk.ufc.com or www.ufcespanol.com.
Ultimate Fighting Championship, Ultimate Fighting, UFC, The Ultimate Fighter, Submission, As Real As It Gets, Zuffa, The Octagon and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners.
