If UFC contender Josh Koscheck (15-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) thought he had it bad in his first trip to Montreal, imagine how it will feel fighting hometown hero Georges St-Pierre (20-2 MMA, 14-2 UFC).
On Thursday, the UFC's "Ultimate Insider" series officially announced that previous reports of a return trip to Montreal's Bell Centre were indeed true, and the massive arena will play host to UFC 124 on Dec. 11.
Early reports had suggested the fight would take place in Las Vegas, but UFC officials looked to capitalize on St-Pierre's popularity in his hometown. Ticketing information for the event has yet to be released.
While Koscheck typically plays the villain wherever he fights, the top contender ensured his role with his actions at UFC 113 this past May.
After smothering British slugger Paul Daley for three rounds, Koscheck took the microphone and berated Montreal's beloved hockey team, the Canadiens. As Koscheck exited the building, he was pelted with debris from the crowd.
When Koscheck was first approached about contesting the fight with St-Pierre in Montreal, the challenger said he'd prefer to do it in his home state of Pennsylvania.
"Negative," Koscheck said of the possibility of facing St-Pierre in Montreal. "We're going to Pittsburgh for that one."
And while the UFC does plan on making a trip to Pittsburgh in 2011, Koscheck will be forced to visit what will likely be the most hostile environment he's ever encountered.
St-Pierre and Koscheck first met at UFC 74. St-Pierre, who had lost his belt at UFC 69 to Matt Serra, controlled Koscheck on the mat and earned a three-round unanimous-decision victory.
St-Pierre reclaimed the undisputed title a year later at UFC 83 when he re-matched Serra in the promotion's first trip to the Bell Centre. He since has defended his title four times against Koscheck's teammate Jon Fitch, as well as B.J. Penn, Thiago Alves and Dan Hardy.
Meanwhile, Koscheck has amassed a record of 6-2 since then with key wins over Dustin Hazelett, Chris Lytle and Anthony Johnson. He secured his title shot with the win over Daley.
