UFC to stage first S’pore event in January

SINGAPORE — Las Vegas-based Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) revealed yesterday that they will stage their inaugural event here on Jan 4 next year, and promised their arrival in South-east Asia will be with a big bang.

Speaking to the media yesterday at Marina Bay Sands, UFC Asia Managing Director Mark Fischer said they chose the date in the hope of attracting tourists who will still be here during the New Year holidays.

The card, ticketing prices and venue will be announced in October. As a gauge, tickets for the UFC’s recent events in Macau and Japan were on average about US$150 (S$190) and US$180 respectively.

Fischer also promised that UFC’s first card here will live up to its billing as the world’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) property.

He said they are committed to putting on a world-class show as Singapore will be the base from which they will roll out UFC’s Asian series.

“We are not interested in creating our own minor league,” he said.

“This is the UFC, the highest level of fighting in the world today and that is going to be the case for any event we do around the world, including Asia.”

He acknowledged that MMA events have already played to full houses in the continent in the last few years, especially those promoted by Singapore-based One FC.

There are “many boats” in the harbour, but the UFC, said the American, is the biggest ship to anchor as it is the gold standard with the best fighters in MMA. “Some other promotions have been reasonably successful here, but we are going to set new standards and break new grounds,” said Fischer.

One FC Chief Executive Victor Cui said UFC’s announcement will not affect his company’s plans to expand in the continent as the Asian market is still largely unexplored, with plenty of room for other players.

Said Cui: “What we have been doing these two years is to work the grassroots to build Asian fighters and heroes. We have already established links with key partners in the continent to grow One FC events and it will continue.

“UFC’s coming to the region and the money they will invest to promote their cards can only help speed the growth of MMA.”

UFC recently moved their Asia-Pacific headquarters here from Beijing, and a key reason for doing so is Singapore’s vision to be a regional sports hub.

From Singapore, they will grow the sport, help introduce it in schools and explore the setting up of independent MMA regulatory bodies in the region.

“I’ve had several meetings with the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) and Mr Lim (Teck Yin, SSC Chief Executive) is quite interested in our sport for several reasons,” he said.

“He sees some of the social values to the sport, the fitness aspects and we want to continue having those conversations here and all over the region.

“On regulations, we welcome governments setting them up for MMA. Training of referees is very important. We are happy to work with governments on training them to be at the highest level.

“For now, we will fly guys in from Nevada who are impartial and have been doing it for years to make sure our events are at the highest levels of regulation.”