Cologne, Germany will host what is expected to be UFC 99 from the Lanxess Arena. The 20,000-seat arena will hold the event, as Marek Lieberberg signed a promotional agreement with the UFC over the weekend of UFC 91. Marek Lieberberg is Europe’s largest concert promoter.

The UFC are reportedly pushing for a fourth bout between the UFC superstars primarily because Couture spent four years of his life in Germany. He was stationed with the U.S. Army at the age of 19 and is fluent in the German language. Zuffa officials are hopeful that his fluency can translate well to press junkets and other promotional activities in the lead-up to the event.

Leidecker’s article does a good job of throwing potential participants for Germany’s first major MMA promotional venture. He notes the high percentage of Polish and Italian citizens living in and around the Rhine River valley. As a result, fighters such as Alessio Sakara, Samy Schiavo and Tomasz Drwal are mentioned as potential marketing assets to target the many ethnic groups within Germany.

Though the UFC lacks a television deal in Germany, officials are reportedly working on a network television deal with broadcasters. The report states that, in all likelihood, the debut event in Germany will have to be broadcast on a delayed basis.