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The UFC’s announcement of its 2015 schedule, containing a whopping 45 events, was a statement of intent in their quest for international expansion.
What makes this all the more remarkable, however, is the fact that 23 of the dates will be held outside the USA in countries such as Sweden, Russia, Scotland and Australia.
All of this raises the question, is this positive or negative for sport?
Though all these new territories will already have a thriving domestic MMA scene, the presence of UFC cards will increase interest and give local fighters the chance to compete on a larger stage and increase their earning capacity.
While this worldwide expansion of cards is welcome it has become apparent that some events have looked increasingly thin on bouts featuring real drawing power. The UFC180 card in Mexico was one such case with the main event draw of champion Cain Velasquez dropping from the card due to injury.
In the past this would not be a problem as traditionally the UFC has a co-main event which can step up and fill the slot. Not so in this case and Joe Silva (UFC matchmaker) needed to pull a joker-in-the-pack trick in the form of Australia-based Mark Hunt to save the event. The promotion will need to concentrate on building local fighters who can fill the gap left by an international withdrawal.
Though the issue of thin cards has been raised before, the gradual global expansion of the UFC gives the opportunity of deepening the divisions in the lighter male and female weight divisions. Although the biggest fights will remain in the USA, the increased reach of the UFC will give the opportunity for many fighters from previously untapped markets to shine.
It will be interesting to see where it leads, however remember that history has shown the UFC will always act with its own interests at heart and not those of MMA in general. Either way, watch out because wherever you are a UFC event will probably be staged near you in the no-so-distant future.
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