European Fighting Challenge to Debut with First Event in Finland on Oct. 1

There will be a new promotion on the European mixed martial arts scene by the end of this year.

European Fighting Challenge announced plans for its first three events during a press conference in Berlin on Tuesday. The all-European organization will debut at Metro Areena in Espoo, Finland, on Oct. 1. Additionally, future cards are set for the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic on Feb. 11, 2017 and Forum Arena in Copenhagen, Denmark on May 6, 2017.

“MMA is one of the world’s fastest growing sport businesses,” EuroFC CEO Jarno Kukila stated in a release. “Since there are no existing All-European promotions, we are confident that we have a real market opportunity in Europe.”

Fighters expected to compete for the organization include former UFC talents Tom Niinimaki, Alan Omer and Izabela Badurek as well as Yosef Ali Mohammad. Events will be available via streaming, although specific information regarding that is not yet available. EuroFC will also implement its own rankings and a Champion of Europe title in 2017.