UFC Announces Fight Night Event for Moscow on Sept. 15

The UFC will officially make its debut in Russia this September.

The Las Vegas-based promotion announced on Wednesday that it will travel to Moscow for a Fight Night event at Olimpiyskiy Arena on Sept. 15. No bouts were announced for the card.

“Russia is a key part of UFC’s international expansion strategy,” David Shaw, Senior Vice President, UFC International and Content, said in a release. “The demand from our fans to bring a live event to Russia has been overwhelming, and with the vast potential this market holds for us, we knew this was the perfect time to bring UFC Fight Night to Moscow.”

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov and featherweight prospect Zabit Magomedsharipov are currently some of the top stars hailing from Russia. It is unlikely that Nurmagomedov will compete at the debut event, as he recently revealed that he is targeting November or December for his first title defense.

The release also states that Andre Gromkovski has been appointed as vice president for UFC Russia. Gromkovski has prior experience with Universal Studios, Fox, Viacom and Paramount Pictures and “will be leading the regional strategic plan for UFC Russia, working alongside UFC’s executive team in Las Vegas and the EMEA team based in London,” according to the release.