UFC Targets Madison Square Garden in New York for 20th Anniversary Show in 2013

2013 will mark the 20th anniversary for the UFC since the first event took place on November 12th at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado.

Even though the occasion is still almost a year away, UFC President Dana White says plans are already in motion for what could be the biggest card in UFC history, and he’s got his eye on a venue in a state where MMA is still not even legal.

“I plan on being in New York in 2013 for the UFC’s 20th anniversary. That’s my goal, so we’ll see, that’s the goal,” said White when speaking to the media after the UFC 155 post fight press conference ended.

The UFC has long targeted New York as a prime landing spot for the promotion, but political barricades have continued to block the promotion or any MMA organization from taking a show to the Empire State.

Over the years, the UFC has continued to battle in every way possible to finally get MMA legalized in the state of New York, but for each hurdle jumped a new one pops up with every congressional session where the sport is up for approval.

While it’s unclear what if anything has changed politically, White is confident that they can get a deal done by some point next year so the UFC can bring their 20th anniversary show to Madison Square Garden, right in the heart in Manhattan.

“That’s our goal to get in New York in November for the 20th anniversary at Madison Square Garden. MSG’s behind us 100-percent, they want it bad,” White revealed.

White also stated that they have gone as far as reserving a date at the arena where the New York Knicks occupy much of the space during their season in the NBA.

In even bigger news, White says that they even have a main event in mind for the mega-show in November 2013, but it’s nothing he could talk about right now.

“We’ve got a card planned, we’ve got some stuff planned. We’ve just got to get past these scumbag gangster union guys and we’ll see what happens,” said White.

“I do have the fight, but I can’t tell you guys yet.”

There are a lot of possibilities for huge fights that could headline a show in New York, and it can’t be ignored that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones hails from the state, but at this point almost a year away from reality, nothing is a done deal.

The first thing on the UFC agenda to land in New York is to be able to actually put on a show there, so the political arena is where the next fight will happen.