UFC Annnounces Fight Night Events for Croatia, Netherlands in 2016

The Ultimate Fighting Championship will enter a pair of new international markets in the coming year.

The Las Vegas-based promotion announced on Friday that it will hold Fight Night cards in Zagreb, Croatia at Zagreb Arena on April 10 and Rotterdam, Netherlands, at Ahoy Rotterdam on May 8. No bouts were revealed for either event, but both will air on Fox Sports 1 in the United States.

Both countries have significant roots in MMA. Croatia is the home of retired UFC and Pride Fighting Championships superstar Mirko Filipovic, while current heavyweight contender Stipe Miocic also has ties to the European nation.

“It would be a dream if I was able to fight in Croatia,” Miocic told UFC.com. “I travelled there for the first time in 2015 to train with Mirko Cro Cop and it was a great experience just to see the country and spend some time there with my family. I don’t know what the UFC has in store for me now, but I’ll definitely be back in Croatia one way or another.”

Meanwhile, Netherlands is the homeland of promotional stalwarts such as Alistair Overeem, Gegard Mousasi and Stefan Struve.

“I got goosebumps when I was told the UFC is finally coming our way,” Struve said. “I’m thrilled it’s finally going to happen. No matter what I want to fight on this card. At this point in my career this is what I need to fight in front of my friends and family and deliver a show like I can.”