According to multiple sources, including thefightnetwork.com, UFC 80 is scheduled to take place at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England. The 11,000-seat Metro arena is a choice venue, as it has hosted numerous World Wrestling Entertainment events and will likely attract an MMA-savvy audience.
Unfortunately for our neighbors to the north the UFC has decided to cancel plans for a northern invasion for now according to the following AP report:
AP - The UFC has called off a planned January date in Montreal.
"We had a venue and everything set up for Canada and we had to cancel the Canada date," UFC president Dana White told reporters Thursday.
The proposed January show at the Bell Centre was supposed to be shown on HBO in the U.S. But when the HBO deal did not come through, the show was axed.
"I know it sucks, I'm sorry," White said. "We"ll get there, I promise."
On a conference call last Thursday, White said only that the January Canadian date was not confirmed yet. That was downgraded to a no-show at Thursday's UFC 77 news conference.
The UFC also tried to bring shows to Montreal in April and October but was unable to deliver. White blamed hockey for the part of the snag, saying he had trouble getting a free date.