UFC vice president of regulatory affairs Marc Ratner sees the promotion traveling to two Africa and Spain within the next two years.
Ratner has diligently worked behind the scenes for years, helping to get the UFC into new markets. The Las Vegas-based promotion has successfully planted roots in multiple countries, including a recent focus on Mexico and China.
Promotion officials have often discussed Africa as a destination, especially when the “three kings,” Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman, along with Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou, were all champions. UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa, is the only current champion from the continent.
UFC CEO Dana White has stated that he will not only bring an event to Africa before he retires, but also build a Performance Institute.
Ratner sees it as a possibility, and very soon.
“I think the next big frontier, I believe, whether it’s 2025 or 2026, will be the continent of Africa,” 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 is not only true for a large continent like Africa, where a decision on which country must also be made, but also for smaller countries in Europe such as Ireland, where superstar Conor McGregor has 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 it – because you have to do it for American TV also. So 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 at that park in Ireland that late.”
Another country on the map for the UFC is Spain, as featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has rapidly become a big star. The German-born fighter has lived in Spain since a teenager, and has made it a goal to bring a big event to the country.
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, is often mentioned as a possible venue. With its 80,000-seat capacity for soccer games, it would be an incredible scene for a UFC event.
“Topuria’s 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).”
