UFC 289 reportedly being targeted for promotion's return to Canada in June

The UFC is set to return to Canada this year, with the UFC 289 pay-per-view event targeted for June 10 in Calgary, Alberta.

It’s been nearly four years since the promotion held an event in the Great White North, with UFC Vancouver, headlined by Justin Gaethje and Donald Cerrone, marking the last major event there in September 2019.

A recent tweet by veteran journalist Ariel Helwani confirmed the news. While no venue has been confirmed yet, it seems Calgary is set to host the first numbered event in Canada since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Helwani wrote:

"Current plan is for UFC 289 to take place June 10 in Calgary … Alberta … Canada. The UFC 149 make-good would finally come to fruition."

Helwani added that UFC 289 could be the organization's chance at redeeming itself in Calgary for the dreary UFC 149 card held in July 2012. Often described as the 'worst pay-per-view of all time,' UFC 149 took place at the Saddledome in Calgary.

A card that was initially hyped to be an enthralling one lost all five of its original main card matchups due to injuries and had to go with late replacements. The resulting fights proved lackluster with all but one ending in decisions that featured little to no action.

---

UFC 289: Fans react to news of promotion making its long-awaited return to Canada

Fans in Calgary will undoubtedly be hyped up for a major numbered event taking place in their city after almost five years. The last time the promotion held an event in the city was UFC on Fox 30 in July 2018, featuring a lightweight rematch between Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez.

While the Calgarians celebrated the reports, UFC fans from the rest of Canada were less than happy with Helwani's news.

One fan expressed disappointment at Vancouver being snubbed for the event, writing:

"I’m heartbroken this tweet doesn’t say Vancouver, but I hear Calgary is especially boring, so good for them I guess."

Another from Vancouver wrote:

"Should be Vancouver.."

A user took a shot at the city of Calgary:

"The armpit of Canada, huge L."

Another wished the promotion came to Toronto instead:

"Damn was really hoping for Toronto :("

A fan opined:

"Toronto or Montreal makes more sense."

Another fan asked:

"Why Calgary :( doesn’t really make sense."

Check out some of the other reactions below: