Recently, the UFC has announced UFC 95 scheduled to go down in London from the O2 Arena on February 21. With that announcement and a previous announcement that the promotion would be returning to Columbus, Ohio at the Nationwide Arena in early March, it looks to be a very busy beginning to 2009 for the promotion. A closer look at the upcoming events:

December '08
Dec. 10th UFC "Fight Night for the Troops" from Fayateville, N.C.
Dec. 13th UFC TUF Finale 9 from the Palms in Las Vegas
Dec. 27th UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008 from MGM Grand in Las Vegas

January '09
Jan. 17th UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson from O2 in Dublin, Ireland
Jan. 31st UFC 94: St.-Pierre vs. Penn II from MGM Grand in Las Vegas

February
Feb. 7th UFC Fight Night 17
Feb. 21st UFC 95 from the O2 in London

March
March 7th UFC 96 from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio

It also appears that aside from the fight nights, each card will indeed be on PPV, which includes both 93 and 95. Often the UFC in the past would air the overseas cards on Spike but it appears that the two parties were unable to come to an agreement for the early part of 2009.

Regardless of the financial burden it may put on the fans in such a tough economic time, this is great to see from the UFC. I have always believed that the UFC has no reason not to do 20-24 events per year including fight nights. With the amount of fighters that they have, it is instrumental that they do so we as fans can see our favorites fight at least 3-4 times per year.

So, if you're like me and can't afford every show, pick the best (UFC 92 and 94 in my opinion) and invite some friends over to pitch in for beer and food and the PPV. Then for the others go to a local bar that doesn't charge cover and try to keep your beer and wings consumption under control. With this calendar provided by the UFC plus Affliction's Day of Reckoning on Jan. 24th with Fedor taking on Arlovski it's going to be a great start to 2009.

I don't think I've been this excited for the New Year in a long time.