UFC eyeing continued expansion in Asia
MAKING a strong push in the Asian region in the last decade, the Ultimate Fighting Championship ( UFC) is angling on building on the momentum it has garnered with its push by continuing to bring quality mixed martial arts events in this part of the world.
In a press conference held for the Manila fight tour of UFC star Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone on April 27 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, Kevin Chang, UFC vice- president for Asia Pacific, underscored how the region is “very important” for the organization and shared how they are continuing to find ways to further cultivate the success and support they are getting in the region.
“It’s a continued expansion for the UFC in Asia by bringing our events here. We had tremendous success last year with events in Tokyo, Sydney, Auckland [ New Zealand], Singapore and Shanghai in China. So it’s really growing as a sport and we are well- positioned I have to say. We are excited as well with the growing basic talent that we are able to tap here,” said Mr. Chang.
The UFC official also shared that they are close to bringing the UFC back to Manila after holding its debut outing in the Philippines in 2015, a well- received event at the Mall of Asia Arena that was bannered by the clash between UFC legends Frankie “The Answer” Edgar and Urijah “The California Kid” Faber.
“Going back to Manila is close to becoming a reality,” Mr. Chang said.
“We have had discussions in the past few months. It makes sense for us to go back here. The fan base here is very passionate and sophisticated for combat sports in general. When Manny [Pacquiao] fights, all of the country shuts down and it’s the same for the UFC. They know where the UFC sits in the world of MMA. They recognize our fighters and watch our programs. We have a good partner here in Cignal which helps us to continue promoting our product here,” he added.
The UFC makes its Singapore return next month with “UFC Fight Night 132,” featuring American Cerrone against Leon Edwards of Jamaica.
The event will take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on June 23 and will also have light heavyweights Ovince Saint Preux and Tyson Pedro battle in the co-main event.
Also part of the card is Filipino Jenel “The Demolition Man” Lausa against Ashkan “The Assassin” Mokhtarian of Iran.
Mr. Chang said they are excited to go back to Singapore after a successful event last year that had Holly Holm going up against Bethe Correia.
“We had a good one last year in Singapore with Holm vs. Correia and we had to find a way to top it and I think we have it with Cowboy part of the event this year. We can well see history made as a win by Cowboy makes him the winningest fighter in the UFC, breaking a three-way tie with Georges St-Pierre and Michael Bisping,” the UFC official said.
“It is important to bring this caliber of events here for fans to see what the UFC is all about,” Mr. Chang added.
In the Philippines, Cignal TV, the country’s foremost direct- to- home ( DTH) company, is the home of the UFC after the two groups agreed to an extensive deal that will see the UFC beamed on various platforms. —