Issue 087
April 2012
Ryan Parsons
Top-flight MMA manager and trainer
YES
I think that a move to China is highly possible this year. I am sure that it’s a market they’ve looked at carefully. First off, as we all know, it’s an enormous market to tap into. Plus it has a history of fighting arts that goes back thousands of years too. It seems like it would be a very natural progress to go there soon, and international expansion is always something that the UFC have been very good at in the past. I know the UFC actually have an office out in China now, and so it certainly wouldn’t surprise me to see if they ended up staging shows regularly there over the next couple of years.
Lew Polley
Reign MMA wrestling coach
NO
One FC is trying to corner the Asian market completely. They are doing their best to team up with other promotions across Asia, in the Philippines, Malaysia, Macau, and I hear they are linking up with Pro Elite and Dream as well, branching out into kickboxing events. So I guess they’re trying to make Asia their own and produce a dominant product that rivals the UFC. I believe the UFC has missed out on that part of the world and I can really see One FC getting a tight grip on the Asian market. Their umbrella is like 30 shows, all year round, and they offer flexible contracts with decent money. They have the largest TV deal probably in the world right now and I hear the next TV deal will include about a million homes or more. It’s ridiculous what they are doing. Perhaps the UFC will go there one day, but not any time soon. One FC are too big an obstacle right now.
What you had to say on the matter ...
NO
“Only if the Chinese have a fighter in contention to get behind, or the government decides to get involved. Otherwise, no.”
@REMYLEZERO
YES
“Too big a market for Dana White and the crew to miss, but will the powers that be accept the American invasion?”
@MMAADAMS
NO
“Can’t see it anytime soon as there are not many stars coming out of China. Give it time, though. Maybe in 2015.”
@M_ROBBO
NO
“No, they need to hit all of Europe and New York first!”
@JACK_KELLY92
...
