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UFC announces its return to Golden 1 Center in Sacramento; card will follow UFC 239

By Bill Poindexter
Urijah Faber has his arm raised in victory over Brad Pickett on Dec. 17, 2016, at Golden 1 Center. UFC is returning to Sacramento on Saturday, July 13.
Urijah Faber has his arm raised in victory over Brad Pickett on Dec. 17, 2016, at Golden 1 Center. UFC is returning to Sacramento on Saturday, July 13. Brian Baer Brian Baer/Special to The Bee

UFC announced Saturday night it will return to Sacramento for the first time in 2 1/2 years.

A program on ESPN+ will be held Saturday, July 13, at Golden 1 Center, a week after UFC 239, an international fight week card in Las Vegas. Sacramento fights have not been announced.

UFC 239 the week before Sacramento features champion Jon Jones vs. Thiago Santos in a light-heavyweight title bout. Women’s bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes also will put her title on the line against Holly Holm.

In UFC’s previous appearance in Sacramento, on Dec. 17, 2016, local legend Urijah Faber scored a unanimous decision over Brad Pickett in his final fight in front of an announced sellout crowd at Golden 1 Center, but Paige VanZant lost to Michelle Waterson on a rear-naked choke in the first round in the UFC on Fox 22 co-main event.

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