• UFC

Zelaznik 'very optimistic' over ground-breaking UK plan

ESPN staff
October 1, 2010
Michael Bisping has helped grow a strong UK market © UFC
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Marshall Zelaznik, the UFC UK president, has told ESPN he is "very optimistic" about bringing multiple Fight Night events to England in 2011.

Zelaznik initially revealed his plan to host 'four to six Fight Nights' in England to ESPN back in July, but he did so with a word caution that there were plenty of obstacles to overcome in order to make the dream a reality. That caution still exists.

However, as UFC 120 heads to London on October 16, Zelaznik is more confident than ever that he can give British MMA fans a regular diet of UFC action.

"The British market has a lot of potential, and it has the appetite for more events. We've always known that, and the sell-out for UFC 120 proves it," Zelaznik told ESPN.

"We've got interest from our British fans, there's interest from broadcasters in England, but the business side needs plenty of pieces to make the puzzle. There are factors outside the UK that we need to help drive it.

"We'll definitely have at least one event in England next year - that's a given. But I'm very, very optimistic, and Dana [White] and Lorenzo [Fertitta] are very focused on trying to make this a reality. With our relationship with TV partners around the world, we're optimistic, but you just have to get things in place before you move forward with it.

"I'm very optimistic, everybody at the company is optimistic."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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