UFC vision is for future events around Australia - inc at 60,000 seat venue

UFC officials want to hold between four to six events in Australia each year and stage a star-filled title fight in front of 60,000 fans at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium.

The UFC has bold plans for Australia. The world's biggest mixed martial arts organisation held a successful Queensland debut on Saturday at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

UFC director of international development Marshall Zelaznik said while the company only had one event booked in Australia next year, they hoped to schedule more.

"The event will be in December. We are holding venues throughout the country and we will see how the schedule works out," Zelaznik said.

"But we are always looking and juggling our calendar. We could get another one here. We had two this year.

"We know this market could take four to six events (each year). It is just a matter of getting them here."

Zelaznik admitted the only way to get a legitimate UFC superstar on an Australian card, such as a George St-Pierre or Anderson Silva, would be to hold a stadium show under the roof at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium.

However, in Victoria MMA fights are not allowed to be staged inside a caged fence and must be held in a traditional boxing ring.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...around-australia/story-fndeeomn-1226538351352


>>> There have been murmurs the past few days of a push to get the ban of the use of a cage in Victoria lifted. This will be the reason. The push to get a major UFC event held at a Melbourne (Victoria) venue.

 

If they had a big ufc here it would probably be the first time I went to one depending on who was fighting.

 

I can see the laws changing in Victoria.

I have noticed the UFC has had interest in Australia. I didn't think it was this big. UFC might be expanding regional shows in many countries.

 

I guess they gave up on the UK and went for the aussies

 

^^No, just spreading the love.

Bigger events lie ahead!

 

They will need to lobby the right people in the right manner to overturn Victoria's ban of cages. Smartly they are using 'improved fighter safety' as the platform, and pictures like this certainlyhelp the cause >>>

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In time I believe The UFC will do just that :good

Everybody wins, when The UFC comes to your town, your corner of the World.

 

If there was a big show in Melbourne I'd definitely go.

 

It's probably because Australia isn't broke like the rest of the world and they - UFC can see dollar signs.

 

The strong Australian dollar is also an attraction. Nobody wanted to know us when our dollar was at $US 0.49. Now they are queuing up to visit here.