The first-ever UFC show in Russia will reportedly happen as early as September, as the event has "already been scheduled in one of the biggest arenas in Moscow," according to Denis Geyko of RT. Staff at Moscow's Olympiyskiy Stadium, which has a capacity of up to 35,000 spectators, confirmed that a UFC show is booked at the venue for Sept. 14 and 15. The UFC has yet to announce the news, but the possibility of a show in Russia was first raised by UFC President Dana White in Nov. '16. Russia’s "most popular fighter," undefeated lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov, has "long been rumored to headline an event his home country." The possibility of a Moscow show was also "earlier fueled" by current lightweight champion Conor McGregor, who reportedly asked White to organize a bout with the undefeated Nurmagomedov in Russia last summer. The news of a Moscow event in September "appears to bring the chance of a Nurmagomedov-McGregor matchup a step closer." Although it is not clear if Nurmagomedov will take part in the planned Moscow event, the 29-year-old Dagestan native hinted at "big news" to come on his Instagram page two days ago (RT, 1/12).
