UFC makes long-awaited return to Asia with Singapore set to host fight night in June

The Ultimate Fighting Championship announces its return to Asia with the promise that the organisation is on the verge of signing China’s ‘biggest MMA star’

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China’s Li Jingliang is one of the hottest MMA talents coming out of Asia. Asia will host another UFC event in Singapore on June 17. Photo: Getty

Published: 1:10pm, 23 Feb 2017Updated: 10:28pm, 23 Feb 2017

It’s not Hong Kong – or China – but it’s close.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on Thursday announced its long-awaited return to Asia, with a card set down for Singapore on June 17. And the news came with a promise that the organisation was on the verge of signing China’s “biggest MMA star.”

“We expect to have news on that in the next few days,” said Joe Carr, UFC head of international and content, before attention was turned to news that had been confirmed.

“The fighter that we are going to sign will be able to step in and fight right away – he’s that good. At the more development level we’re going to be signing more Chinese fighters and try to get them ready to fight at the UFC level.”

UFC head of international and content Joe Carr has promised the organisation will sign China’s ‘biggest MMA star’. Photo: Handout

The UFC was last in Asia for an event Seoul, South Korea on November 28, 2015 – but things have been quiet ever since.

“We’re committed to this market,” said Carr. And 2017 is really our re-entry into this market.

“We’re definitely working on our first event in mainland China. We’ve had a couple of events in Macau but it’s completely different going to a Beijing or a Shanghai. I have nothing to announce but it’s definitely a priority and a focus for the organisation. We were successful in Macau and that’s fine but our ambitions are mainland China.”