THE already-burgeoning mixed martial arts scene in the country is set to pick up pace some more with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) making its much-awaited Manila debut later this year.
In a press conference yesterday, the UFC and SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. announced the staging of the popular MMA organization’s first-ever fight event in the Philippines set for May 16 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Recognizing the kind of MMA scene the country has with “fans very knowledgeable of, and passionate about, MMA,” the UFC, through Executive Vice-President for Asia Kenneth Berger, said the time is ripe for the organization to visit Manila and that it is very excited to kick off its Asia series here.
“We are thrilled to be kicking off our Asia series in Manila this year. The UFC has a loyal and passionate fan base in the Philippines and we’re looking forward to bringing the very best of MMA to Manila for the first time…” Mr. Berger said.
Incidentally, the May Manila event to be featured in “UFC Fight Night” is the lone stop for UFC in Southeast Asia this year.
For its part, SM Lifestyle Entertainment said it is happy to be partnering with UFC to bring the world-class MMA action the organization is known for to the local fans, underscoring SM’s commitment to bringing “topnotch sports and entertainment events for the enjoyment of every Filipino.”
In 2013, Mall of Asia Arena hosted the first National Basketball Association Global Games in the Philippines that featured the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers.
Last year, the venue was the site of the inaugural leg of the International Premier Tennis League that brought in top world-ranking tennis players.
These were apart from the many concerts of both local and international artists that the Arena hosted.
The fight card for the UFC Fight Night Manila is still being determined, Mr. Berger said, underscoring how “complicated” the process is.
He, however, said that the event being globally televised as well, the UFC is going to make sure that it will only bring in fighters that are of high caliber, including some Filipinos.
Tickets are expected to be available through SM Tickets around March or two months before the fight event, SM Lifestyle and Entertainment President Edgar Tejerero said.