‘We are back!’: UFC president Dana White announces full stadium of fans for blockbuster Florida show

Dana White has confirmed the return of full capacity crowds in Florida next month

UFC 246 will see a full stadium of fans for the first time in more than a year (Getty Images)

UFC president Dana White has announced ‘we are back’ after confirming a full capacity of fans for UFC 261 in Florida next month.

The coronavirus pandemic has meant there has not been a full capacity UFC show since 7 March 2020. But now White has revealed that a huge event in Florida will welcome the return of a 15,000-strong crowd on April 24.

“I have been waiting a year for this day to tell you we are back,” White said in a video posted on Twitter. “UFC 261 on April 24 will be in Jacksonville, Florida, with a full house of fans – full capacity at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

White then went on to reveal the three huge fights that will feature on the bill as fight fans eagerly await the resumption of blockbuster audiences.

In the headline bout of the evening, Kamaru Usman will rematch Jorge Masvidal for the UFC Welterweight Championship.

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Back in July of last year, Usman – who has not lost an MMA contest for nearly eight years – beat Masvidal by unanimous decision at UFC 251. However, the American challenger only had six days to prepare for the contest after he stepped in at late notice for Gilbert Burns.

Now the Florida-based fighter will get a second chance against Usman in front of a home crowd.

Also on the card, Valentina Shevchenko defends her UFC Flyweight Championship against Jessica Andrade. And UFC Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili looks to extend her 21-fight winning run as she faces former champion Rose Namajunas.

White added: “This is a stacked card in front of 15,000 UFC fans. Ladies and gentlemen, we are back!”