• UFC

UFC chief still confident of four-to-six UK events in 2011

ESPN staff
November 15, 2010
Michael Bisping has been a pioneer for British MMA © Getty Images
Enlarge

Following the UFC's latest foray into Europe for UFC 122 in Germany, British MMA fans can expect to see far more events on UK and Ireland shores next year, according to Marshall Zelaznik.

The UK UFC president has spoken openly with ESPN over his dream of bringing "four to six" events to the UK in 2011, the majority of which would take the form of a Fight Night.

Quite rightly, Zelaznik has taken a caution-first approach ever since he informed ESPN of his plan at the start of October, knowing there are plenty of obstacles to overcome before his vision becomes reality. However, six weeks further down the line, Zelaznik remains just as confident of giving British MMA fans a regular diet of UFC action in the next 12 months.

"It's looking very good," he told ESPN. "I was just in Vegas and we're making some really good progress. I don't know how close we are yet, but maybe in 60 days we could have a really exciting announcement about that.

"I think that's still the number, our budgeting and the numbers we use in our planning remain based on the four-to-six event scenario. There's an appetite for it, and we have enough quality matches to make those very solid cards."

Charged with the responsibility of looking after the European wing of the UFC business, Zelaznik is more aware than most of the demands that need satisfying in England, and his latest update bodes well off the back of the suggestion that the UK could host a title fight in 2011.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices