UFC President Dana White confirmed Thursday an earlier report from Sherdog.com that a live event in Mexico City is indeed close to becoming a reality.
Speaking with media after Thursday’s
UFC 104 news conference, White restated the company’s goal of entering the Mexican market with a live event sometime in 2010 and said a commitment from sponsors is the only remaining hurdle.
“That’s the rumor,” said White when asked about the potential April date. “Listen, when you do a show in a market like Mexico, you have to have a good sponsor. As for April, things are looking good.”
White also detailed the inability to promote a show in the Philippines due to sponsors pulling out. He said they were ready to make the jump, but the meltdown of the world economy forced them to reconsider when their sponsorship opportunities dried up.
A big part of the push into Mexico -- a market that has produced a rabidly passionate fan base for boxing, something the UFC hopes to duplicate -- will be heavyweight
Cain Velasquez.
The American Kickboxing Academy standout, who will put his 6-0 record on the line against a very experienced
Ben Rothwell Saturday night at Staples Center, is a rare animal in the combat sport’s world.
While Mexican fighters have done very well in boxing’s lower weight classes, there has never been a dominant heavyweight. Velasquez is hoping to change that.
AKA head trainer Javier Mendez told Sherdog.com that Velasquez was mobbed on a recent media tour of Mexico and he feels he will be a superstar should he continue his winning ways.
White downplayed the need to put Velasquez on the card, but it seems a natural fit. Along with “The Ultimate Fighter 8” winner
Efrain Escudero and possibly
Tito Ortiz, the UFC could invade Mexico City with a lineup laden with fighters of Mexican heritage.
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