World’s leading mixed martial arts promotion makes a long-term home down under.
UFC president Dana White has made a pledge to hold more events in Australia next year after the stunning success of UFC Fight Night 33 in Brisbane.
Before a punch has been thrown the fans of mixed martial arts in the country have voted with their feet, with all 12,000 tickets selling out in a matter of minutes.
As they do anytime they visit a country outside of the United States, the UFC has added a local flavor to the main and preliminary cards, with Seven Australian fighters featuring in Brisbane – Soa Palelei, Ben Wall, Anthony Perosh, Mark Hunt, James Te Huna, Dylan Andrews, Richie Vasulick and Robert Whittak
And with another upcoming installment of the popular reality show The Ultimate Fighter involving Australian fighters, White said now is the perfect time to add more fights to the promotion’s calender in the country.
“Australia is an incredible market for us,” White said.
“We’ve just finished filming a new series of The Ultimate Fighter, Canada versus Australia.
“Everything couldn’t be better. Australia is awesome, it’s on fire.”
“The stupid thing about me is, I’m pretty dialled in my whole life to the fight game.
“But I never really thought of Australia. Australia is such a rough and tough type of place.
“Obviously, this thing works there.”
The UFC staged 36 events around the world this year and plans to increase to between 45 and 54 next year, with a view to Australia becoming a permanent home on the UFC calendar.
The only obstacle is legislation in Victoria and Western Australia that prevents mixed martial arts events taking place in a caged octagon, with both State governments demanding the fights take place in a boxing ring.
However, the promotion has fought for years again state and governing bodies who insist on boxing rings, as they beleive cages help protect fighters and those in the audience.
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