Toronto still in running for UFC 178, but Montreal event likely moving to March 2015

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – What looked like a well-planned 2014 for the UFC’s Canadian team is now anything but, as a pair of shows intended for the country are no longer sure things.

UFC Managing Director of Operations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand Tom Wright today said Toronto is still in the running as a potential host site for September’s “UFC 178: Jones vs. Gustafsson II” event, but that a previously announced December visit to Montreal, expected to serve as UFC 181, is likely no longer in the cards.

“We’re still trying to figure out where 178 is going to be,” Wright told MMAjunkie after today’s event in Auckland, New Zealand. “A decision hasn’t been made. I’m waiting to hear from (UFC executives) Lorenzo (Fertitta) and Dana (White) on that, and we’ll probably find out next week because we obviously have some planning we have to do.

“In terms of Montreal, it’s the same sort of thing. We’re looking to most likely move that fight to March of 2015.”

The Toronto and Montreal dates were both announced in January, but the company has now revised its plans. Wright told MMAjunkie that the moves were not indicative of any sort of struggles with the market that White once labeled the “Mecca of MMA.” Instead, he said, operational decisions deemed the changes necessary.

In the case of UFC 178, White has previously stated that Las Vegas and Sweden are both under consideration as host for the potential blockbuster, which features the heavily anticipated rematch between UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones (20-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) and the man that gave him his toughest career test to date, Alexander Gustafsson (16-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC). Wright said Toronto remains in the running, and an announcement is expected shortly.

Meanwhile, no official reason was given for the likely rescheduling of UFC 181. However, the timing could very well allow Montreal native and former longtime welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre(25-2 MMA, 19-2 UFC) – who tore his ACL in March – to target a spot in a featured contest.

St-Pierre has been on the sideline since a controversial November win over Johny Hendricks. After that fight, St-Pierre gave up the title in order focus on personal matters and enjoy some time away from the spotlight.

UFC 181 is expected to take place on Dec. 6.

For more on UFC 178 and UFC 181, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.