UFC Plans Return to Australia, Second Australian TUF Season

(left to right) George Sotiropoulos, Marshall Zelaznick, Kyle Noke

UFC to Hold December Event in Australia, Plans to Shoot Second Australian TUF Season

The Sydney-based news outlet the Daily Telegraph reported  the UFC’s plans for its increasing presence in Australia.

Director of UFC Operations in Australia Tom Wright confirmed the UFC will return to the country for an event in December. A location has not been set for the event, though certain cities are in discussion, and Wright expects the fight card to air on FX. If all goes according to plan, a UFC title will be fought for on Australian soil.

“Right now, Sydney is on the radar. So is Brisbane, maybe even Adelaide. We won’t know all the final details until about three months out, but I can assure you I’ll be lobbying for a world title fight.

“As it stands, I don’t think the event will be pay-per-view. It will most likely be on FX. And these events, as you know, have boasted some huge fights in recent times so a world title bout is what I’ll be pushing for.”

Wright also verified that, with interest from UFC President Dana White, plans are being made for a second season of the Australian version of “The Ultimate Fighter.” That season is expected to air in 2014. He hinted the new season may be a bit different from the last, such as possibly not even taking place in Australia.

“It may not be Australia against Britain and it may not necessarily be shot in Sydney, or even Australia,’’ he said. “We could be taking a group of Aussies overseas; there will be plenty of new surprises.”

Wright is in talks with politicians in the Australian cities of Perth and Victoria, where cage fighting is currently banned. Those states' governing bodies permit MMA, but competition must happen inside a boxing ring, not a cage.