FOR THREE BOSTON FIGHTERS, THE ARRIVAL OF THE ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP® IS A DREAM COME TRUE

(LAS VEGAS, NV --- Aug. 13, 2010) – It’s almost every kid’s dream to score the game-winning goal for their hometown team. After spending most of their childhoods rooting for the players and teams of their beloved city, youngsters across the globe yearn for the opportunity to become a hometown hero.

For Bostonians Kenny Florian, Joe Lauzon, and Marcus Davis, the chance to realize their dream of competing on the biggest stage in their hometowns has finally arrived. All three will compete at UFC 118 from TD Garden in Boston on Aug. 28 live on Pay-Per-View. Knowing that the chance to perform in front of the die-hard Boston sports fans is upon them, the trio is doing their best to cherish the moment.

“Boston is where I started my career in MMA and it's where I’ve lived my whole life,” lightweight Kenny Florian, who will take on Gray Maynard on Aug. 28, said. “To be fighting in the UFC in my hometown is a dream come true for me. This city is one of the biggest & most passionate sports towns in the world. With the UFC® Fan Expo™ and 118 here in that same weekend, it is truly going to be a special weekend that myself and the whole city of Boston and its visitors will never forget.”

For Lauzon, having the UFC in his hometown is more than just an opportunity to fight. Since the UFC® Fan Expo™ will be held on Aug. 27 and 28 at the John B. Hynes Convention Center, Lauzon believes fans in the Northeast will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience all that the UFC has to offer.

“It’s been a long time coming, but the UFC’s arrival in Boston is going to be epic,” Lauzon, who will fight Gabe Ruediger in lightweight action at UFC 118, said. “While UFC is amazing on TV, it’s a whole different level being there in person. With the fights, and the UFC Fan Expo, the fans are in for something special.”

A former professional boxer who made a name for himself in the Northeast, Davis is equally fired up about the UFC’s arrival in Boston. As he gears up for an exciting welterweight clash with Nate Diaz, Davis admits that the anticipation of fighting in his hometown has fueled his training camp.

“It’s great to be able to fight so close to home knowing I train 10 minutes away from the venue,” Davis said. “I was on the last boxing event ever held at The Garden before they knocked it down and now I get to return as an MMA fighter. It's an awesome feeling.

“The UFC Fan Expo will be a huge success too,” Davis added. “It’s a great thing to have to promote the sport and it gives all the businesses in the sport the opportunity to educate and gather more fans. We truly have surpassed boxing in popularity and this event will prove it.”

All the UFC Fan Expo activities will be planned in conjunction with UFC 118, which takes place at TD Garden on Saturday, Aug. 28. Headlined by a lightweight title rematch between champion Frankie Edgar and former division leader BJ Penn, UFC 118 also marks the mixed martial arts debut of three-time world champion boxer James Toney, who will take on UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture.

For more information on UFC Fan Expo and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.ufcfanexpo.com/