UFC 104 headed to Los Angeles

The UFC is California bound for the sixth time.

UFC 104 will set up shop at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Oct. 24, UFC president Dana White announced at the UFC 98 post-fight press conference. No bouts were confirmed for the event.

It's the second time the promotion has used the arena, home to the Los Angeles Lakers, since May of 2006, when then-champion Matt Hughes defeated UFC Hall of Fame member Royce Gracie in a one-sided blowout.

The UFC last touched down in California at UFC 73, and while the event was a success, its fallout was not. The evening's co-main event, a lightweight title bout between then-champion Sean Sherk and Hermes Franca, was tainted when both fighters were suspended after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. Sherk unsuccessfully appealed his suspension and has since maintained his innocence.

The California State Athletic Commission, which regulates all professional mixed martial arts events in the Golden State, is currently without any senior leadership after the resignation of its Executive Director Armando Garcia last November and resignation of Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas. Sarah Waklee, a representative with the CSAC, last week confirmed Douglas' departure and the departure of longtime Chief Athletic Inspector Dean Louhis.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has placed an interim Executive Officer, Gil Deluna, to oversee office operations while the search is underway.