UFC Announces Plans to Open Multi-Million Dollar Performance Institute in China

“This is another game changer for the sport, UFC, and potential athletes throughout Asia."

Coming in 2019. pic.twitter.com/ZEqJWUbjNJ

— UFC PI (@UFCPI) November 20, 2018

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is planning to make serious inroads in China with the opening of a state-of-the art MMA training and development center in Shanghai in 2019.

According to a release, “UFC Performance Institute Shanghai will serve as a training hub to develop and support MMA athletes from mainland China and the greater Asia-Pacific region. UFC will also utilize the building as its headquarters in Asia, housing UFC employees and UFC Performance Institute staff, including experts in the fields of MMA, strength and conditioning, sports science, physical therapy and nutrition.”

The facility will also have production capabilities and spectator seating to allow the promotion to produce and distribute live events. Other features include hospitality suites, dining, retail services and a fan experience area.

The completed version of the new multi-million UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai will cover more than 93,000 square feet, which makes it about three times larger than the original facility in Las Vegas.

The Performance Institute will feature a “full MMA coaching staff” that will help to develop athletes in the region through a “sport specific training system.”

“I could not be more excited about the UFC Performance Institute opening in Shanghai,” said UFC President Dana White in a release.  “We know there is a ton of talent throughout Asia and now we will be able to find them and offer them all the incredible training, nutrition, and physical therapy that UFC fighters are getting in the Performance Institute at our headquarters in Las Vegas, right there in China. This is another game changer for the sport, UFC, and potential athletes throughout Asia.”

OFFICIAL: UFC Performance Institute to open in Shanghai in 2019.

Details: https://t.co/eNxrWapmsR pic.twitter.com/4OBY9ohwiJ

— UFC PI (@UFCPI) November 20, 2018

The announcement occurs ahead of UFC Fight Night 141, which marks the Las Vegas-based organization’s first-ever visit to Beijing. The card is headlined by a heavyweight duel between Curtis Blaydes and Francis Ngannou and streams in its entirety on UFC Fight Pass.