ultimate fighting championship muscles into asia with eyes on china
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Sports » Run

Ultimate Fighting Championship muscles into Asia with eyes on China

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleUltimate Fighting Championship muscles into Asia with eyes on China

the Las Vegas-based UFC
Singapore - ArabToday

The world’s biggest mixed martial arts organisation, the Las Vegas-based UFC, Thursday announced its long-awaited return to Asia with a Singapore show and an “ambition” to debut in mainland China.

Ultimate Fighting Championship, which has shot to sporting prominence by making global stars of fighters such as Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, said it would host three events in Asia and two in Australia and New Zealand, though only confirming the Singapore date on June 17.

While UFC has previously hosted two events in the southern Chinese semi-autonomous city of Macau, UFC Head of International and Content Joe Carr said its sights were now firmly fixed on the lucrative Chinese mainland.

“We’re definitely working on our first event in mainland China,” he said at a press conference in Singapore. 

“We’ve had a couple of events in Macau but it’s completely different going to a Beijing or a Shanghai. I have nothing to announce but it’s definitely a priority and a focus for the organisation. We were successful in Macau and that’s fine but our ambitions are mainland China.”

Carr added that UFC was on the verge of signing China’s “biggest MMA star”, without naming the fighter.

The Singapore card will look to cash in on the continued rise of mixed martial arts across the Asia-Pacific region and will be the first staged in Asia by the UFC since Seoul, South Korea, almost 18 months ago.

The UFC had planned to hold an event in Manila in October but was forced to cancel when headliner BJ Penn injured his ribs during his pre-fight camp. 

– One Championship unconcerned –

Carr said UFC would stage another show in Tokyo later this year, while another in Asia, probably in Seoul, and Australia and New Zealand events, were also planned.

“I will admit that we’ve been a little inconsistent in our event calendar,” said Carr.

“We had a Manila event that was cancelled and we had some venue issues in Seoul. We expect to be back in Seoul early next year. There’s been some challenges but we think our Asian talent is at a higher level than it’s ever been.”

Despite the lack of UFC events, Asian fighters have continued to emerge as a force, led by the likes of Chinese welterweight Li Jingliang, a UFC winner last month, and South Korean featherweight Chan Sung-Jung, who won a UFC bout three weeks ago.

“We’re aware of the need for an Asian champion as we’ve never had one,” said Carr. “That’s really the last piece of the puzzle for us.”

The Singapore-based ONE Championship has been a main force behind the mixed martial arts boom in Asia, with 18 events confirmed for 2017. 

The organisation’s founder Chatri Sityodtong said he was not worried about UFC muscling in on his organisation’s turf.

“The market is way big enough out here for all of us,” he said. “I think it’s great to see Asian heroes on the world stage. Asians are the best in the world at martial arts.”

source: AFP

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

ultimate fighting championship muscles into asia with eyes on china ultimate fighting championship muscles into asia with eyes on china

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 21:49 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Trump to tell Erdogan of concern over Syria offensive

GMT 08:26 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Five things to know about Davos

GMT 16:13 2018 Sunday ,14 January

Netanyahu urges Macron to 'fix' Iran nuclear deal

GMT 10:17 2016 Thursday ,21 January

WHO confirms second new Ebola case in Sierra Leone

GMT 13:33 2011 Wednesday ,06 July

Russia bids to expand Arctic border to seek gas

GMT 09:06 2011 Wednesday ,21 September

Powerful typhoon hits Japan

GMT 11:15 2011 Wednesday ,03 August

2 glaciers in Nepal to disappear

GMT 19:01 2017 Saturday ,19 August

Finland suspect an asylum seeker, targeted women

GMT 02:45 2017 Wednesday ,08 February

Coup defeat a matter of time, says Yemeni VP

GMT 17:38 2017 Friday ,14 July

Saad Lamjarred denied issuance of new song

GMT 16:02 2011 Thursday ,21 April

Chelsea squad not good enough

GMT 11:29 2011 Tuesday ,19 July

Etihad Towers on track for delivery

GMT 02:05 2017 Wednesday ,22 February

UAE takes keen interest in supporting higher education

GMT 07:17 2017 Saturday ,01 July

Key US inflation measure declines in May

GMT 08:58 2017 Thursday ,14 September

US Olympians celebrate LA 2028 'now it's real'

GMT 07:15 2013 Wednesday ,06 November

Boost your detox-ability

GMT 01:39 2017 Saturday ,04 February

Cutting off a helping hand

GMT 15:00 2017 Monday ,09 January

Winter storm heads toward northeastern US
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle