Dana White doesn’t plan on slowing down when it comes to one longtime UFC ambition.
It’s safe to say that MMA’s leading promotion doesn’t travel like it once did.
Since creating a saving grace during the pandemic in the form of Apex events, the UFC has favored the cost-saving venue even though travel restrictions have been lifted for years.
Much to the dismay of many fans, the UFC Apex doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere. UFC executive Mark Shapiro recently hinted as much by claiming viewers can’t tell the difference between arena shows and Apex events – a claim that was quickly disputed.
Despite that fact, though, White claims that bringing the Octagon to new destinations remains one of his ongoing goals.
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Dana White vows to take the UFC around the world until the day he dies
During his press conference backstage at Newark’s Prudential Center after UFC 316, White spoke about praise from attendees who had never been at a live show before.
The UFC CEO used the opportunity to reiterate his apparent commitment to putting the Octagon in front of as many eyeballs as possible — despite the UFC visiting just three new countries since 2020.
“I love it. I like going to new places and exposing the live event to people – we had a bunch of people tonight (at UFC 316) who had never been to a live event before,” White said.
“When you talk to people after they see it live, it’s just different than watching it on television.
“Anytime I can get that experience to bring people in that have never been, I love it,” White added. “It’s literally my goal over the next however many years, till I drop dead.”
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The UFC’s next debut event comes in Azerbaijan
When it comes to taking the Octagon to fresh regions, the UFC’s next debut will be in Azerbaijan.
MMA’s leading promotion will stage a UFC Fight Night at the Baku Crystal Hall in the capital city of Baku.
The country’s leading MMA export will be in action, as lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev competes on home soil for the first time in his professional career.
After he faces Ignacio Bahamondes in the co-main event, two prominent Americans will headline as two past victims of Alex Pereira in Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree fight to keep their names in the light heavyweight title conversation.
Azerbaijan joins Saudi Arabia and France as only the third new country visited by the UFC since 2020.