UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner sees the promotion traveling to Africa and Spain over the next two years.
Ratner worked diligently behind the scenes for years, helping to bring the UFC to new markets. The Las Vegas-based promotion has successfully planted roots in several countries, including a recent focus on Mexico and China.
Those responsible for the promotion have often discussed Africa as a destination, especially when the “three kings”, the king of Nigeria, Israel Adesanya It is Kamaru Usmantogether with Cameroon Francisco Ngannou, they were all champions. UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis from South Africa, is the continent’s only current champion.
UFC CEO Dana White has stated that he will not only bring an event to Africa before he retires, but he will also build a Performance Institute.
Ratner sees this as a possibility, and very soon.
“I think the next big frontier, I believe, whether it’s 2025 or 2026, will be the African continent,” Ratner told MMA Junkie Radio at SEICon. “I think you’ll see fights in Johannesburg or Rwanda, something like that. I think that’s out there.”
Part of bringing an event to a new country is the challenge of finding the appropriate location and venue. This not only applies to a large continent like Africa, where a decision must also be made about which country, but also to smaller European countries like Ireland, where superstars Conor McGregor I wanted to bring an event to a stadium.
“I think the problem with going to Ireland and Croke Park was some time constraints,” Ratner explained. “You couldn’t have that – because you have to do it for American TV too. Just like in Manchester, I think the main events will be at 3 or 4 in the morning, something like that. So that comes into play, and I don’t think we could be in that park in Ireland that late.”
Another country on the UFC map is Spain, featherweight champion Ilia Topuria quickly became a big star. The German-born fighter has lived in Spain since he was a teenager and aims to bring a big event to the country.
The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, is often mentioned as a possible venue. With a capacity of 80,000 seats for football games, it would be an incredible setting for a UFC event.
“Topuria is a tremendous fighter and Spain will happen someday,” Ratner said. “It won’t be this year, but I would love to see it happen. … (2025) is certainly a (possibility).”
