UFC Set to Return to the Barclays Center in New York for the First Time Since 2019 With UFC 273

The world’s biggest MMA promotion, UFC is targeting Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. as a venue for UFC 273 expected to take place on April 9, 2022.

Plans can change due to the ongoing pandemic, but right now the promotion is looking to go back to Brooklyn. If the venue is confirmed, it will be the first time in over three years that they do so. There has been no formal announcement from the promotion regarding it yet.

UFC 273 targeted for Barclays Center in Brooklyn on April 9 (@DamonMartin) https://t.co/ecNbuJS2j1 pic.twitter.com/W1S80F92Wz

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) December 31, 2021

The last event that took place at the Barclays Center was UFC Fight Night 143, back in 2019. It saw Henry Cejudo defend his flyweight title against the then-bantamweight champion, TJ Dillashaw, dominantly. He won via TKO in the first round and vacated the title sometime after the fight.

ALSO READ – BREAKING: Carla Esparza’s Nasty Cut Forces a Injury Stoppage; Other Fury Pro Grappling 3 Results

The first-ever UFC event held at the Barclays Center was in 2017. Germaine de Randamie defeated Holly Holm to claim the inaugural women’s featherweight title in the main event. The last event held at the venue was UFC 223, where Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Al Iaquinta to become the lightweight champion.

UFC has started to put together the card for the event and would look to lock in the venue as soon as possible.

Irene Aldana vs. Aspen Ladd booked for UFC 273

UFC has announced the first fight for UFC 273 on April 9. Two top contenders in the women’s bantamweight division will go head-to-head and look to push for a title shot with a win.

Irene Aldana (13-6) is coming off an impressive and dominant win over Yana Kunitskaya at UFC 264. ‘Robles’ is currently ranked number 3 in the division and has won six of her last eight fights. If she stops Ladd, a title shot might be next for her.

Irene Aldana vs. Aspen Ladd headed to #UFC273.

Any early predictions?

Full story: https://t.co/kXYCMGL9Du pic.twitter.com/lNNOE3SBV8

— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) December 30, 2021

WATCH THIS STORY – UFC Schedule January 2022: Calvin Kattar vs. Giga Chikadze, Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane, and More

Ladd, on the other hand, is coming off a loss in her last fight. She took on Norma Dumont in a featherweight bout at UFC Fight Night 195. It was a lackluster performance from the number 4 ranked women’s bantamweight and was surrounded by controversy because of her coaching between the rounds. Ladd is 1-2 in her last three fights and would want to get back to winning ways.

What do you think of the promotion going back to the Barclays Center? What are your predictions for Ladd vs. Aldana? Let us know in the comments!

The post UFC Set to Return to the Barclays Center in New York for the First Time Since 2019 With UFC 273 appeared first on EssentiallySports.