UFC's return to Japan complete with addition of Leonard Garcia vs. Tiequan Zhang

Though the eventual show may lack the electronic and pyrotechnic pageantry of the PRIDE organization, there’s no question the UFC has put together a lineup rivaling any in the famed Japanese promotion’s history where star-power and potential for entertainment are concerned.

Headlined by top lightweight Frankie Edgar defending his title against former WEC champion Ben Henderson, UFC 144 features nearly every major Japanese name on the company’s roster including Takeya Mizugaki, Yushin Okami, Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, Hatsu Hioki, Takanori Gomi, and Yoshihiro Akiyama, as well as PRIDE stand-outs Quinton Jackson and Mark Hunt taking to the ring against a pair of apt adversaries.

Edgar Excited About Opportunity to Fight in Japan

The UFC capped the card off today with what should be an action-packed featherweight fight between Chinese stand-out Tiequan Zhang and carefree brawler Leonard Garcia. Zhang holds an overall record of 15-2 with all of his wins involving some form of stoppage, while Garcia is a “Fight of the Night” magnet due to his willingness to stand and trade with any opponent.

Here is the complete rundown of bouts at UFC 144, scheduled for February 26 in Saitama, Japan:

Riki Fukuda vs. Steve Cantwell
Tiequan Zhang vs. Leonard Garcia
Norifumi Yamamoto vs. Vaughan Lee
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Chris Cariaso
George Sotiropoulos vs. Takanori Gomi
Tim Boetsch vs. Yushin Okami
Cheick Kongo vs. Mark Hunt
Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski
Joe Lauzon vs. Anthony Pettis
Ryan Bader vs. Quinton Jackson
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson