UFC coming to Ireland?

dlofnep

From the Fight Network.

By Jim Burman

It’s no secret that Zuffa LLC. and the Ultimate Fighting Championshp have set up a London office in the United Kingdom and are getting closer to launching a series of events under the charge of recently-hired Marshall Zelaznik, former Vice President of Programming for iN Demand Networks.

The expanding promotion has yet to reach out to the UK media as it settles into its new flat, however, leaving much room for speculation as MMA enthusiasts look forward to yet another promotion of substance to emerge. They wait…and they talk. Here are the strongest three rumors that have surfaced and the likeliness they’ll become fact in the coming months.


RUMOR #1: UFC WILL HOLD FOUR EVENTS IN UK IN 2007

It’s widely known that the UFC are looking to run shows up and down the country, not just in London. The strongest rumored plan of attack includes two shows in London, one in Manchester and one in Belfast, Northern Ireland. All of these venues are well served by airports, so there’s the transport infrastructure for the imported talent. All are centers of tourism so the travelling contingent will have plenty of accommodation to choose from and they’re all easy to get to. Four shows is a reasonable expectation based on their usual show scheduling if they start in the Spring - which brings us on to the next rumour.

PROBABILITY: RED HOT


RUMOR #2 : FIRST UK EVENT IS SCHEDULED FOR MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS (MEN) ARENA ON APRIL 28


“The Ultimate Fighter” season three winner and Brit Mike Bisping confirmed that the first UFC UK show would be in Manchester in a post-fight interview at UFC 66, but he didn’t nail the date or the venue. Out of the venues available the MEN Arena has the versatility to offer anything from 3000 to 21000 spectators depending on it’s set up. The only other venue of this size and type would be the GMEX, although it is mainly a convention center and is not likely to hold events of this type. The MEN has held many boxing shows in the past and is ideally suited for the UFC.

Looking at the MEN’s schedule, the much-rumored date of April 28 is feasible.

PROBABILITY: RED HOT


RUMOR #3: BISPING WILL FIGHT SINOSIC


There’s no doubt that local Michael “The Count” Bisping (12-0) will be heavily featured in the UFC’s event in the UK. Apart from avoiding visa issues that kept him from a fight in the U.S. in November, he’ll have hometown backing which, of course, will sell tickets.

Multi-time UFC veteran and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Elvis Sinosic (8-9-2) is a good match-up for Bisping, the Brit’s anti-grappling game and strong stand-up could provide problems for Australian Sinosic. The fight would test Bisping, but would be one he could win and subsequently be good for building his career. When Bisping was asked, his response was “It’s news to me.”

Whilst this match makes sense and could happen at the UFC’s April event, it’s unusual that a fight would be signed three months in advance, and a lot could happen in the fight game in that time.

PROBABILITY: COLD

Fozzy

There's some strong rumours saying that there will be a UFC event in Dublin too, aswell as UFC being on Irish television. It was talked about in the pro-wrestling forum a while back

I heard a radio interview with Dana from back in September, he said that the UK shows were definite for this year, I think he said there'd be more than just 4 though

Kazooie

Sweet! I hope these cards feature top fighters like Cro cop and GSP not just British guys.

dlofnep

The last time UFC was held in the UK, it had a normal international card. They will have all their top guys for sure.

bjj-fighter

dlofnep wrote:

The last time UFC was held in the UK, it had a normal international card. They will have all their top guys for sure.

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?search=yes&EventID=923

Pretty damn good card:D

dlofnep

Absolutely, that Hughes/Newton rematch was really big at the time. Freeman's destruction of Mir was great too.