UFC 82 FIGHT CARD ANNOUNCED

The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Monday released nine fights for its March 1 return to the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

The main event features UFC champion Anderson Silva facing Pride champion Dan Henderson in a battle of middleweight titleholders. Silva also headlined the promotion’s first effort in Columbus in March of 2007 where he won the title from local favorite Rich Franklin.

The main card is fleshed out with bouts featuring heavyweights Cheick Kongo vs. Heath Herring, Evan Tanner making his UFC and fighting return against No. 9-ranked Yushin Okami, top welterweight John Fitch vs. UFC newcomer Chris Wilson, and Ultimate Fighter winner Diego Sanchez against another UFC newcomer in Swedish fighter David Bielkheden.

The UFC set the national total attendance record for a mixed martial arts event at Nationwide Arena last year, attracting 19,079 fans.

Main Card:
-Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson
-Cheick Kongo vs. Heath Herring
-Yushin Okami vs. Evan Tanner
-Jon Fitch vs. Chris Wilson
-Diego Sanchez vs. David Bielkheden

Preliminary Card:
-Andrei Arlovski vs. Jake O'Brien
-Luke Cummo vs. Luigi Fioravanti
-Josh Koscheck vs. Dustin Hazelett
-Jorge Gurgel vs. John Halverson