UFC next big after NBA bash

MANILA, Philippines - After the NBA, the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) could be the next big thing in Philippine sports next year.

UFC Asia chief Mark Fischer yesterday said there is a strong chance the UFC, the best and most popular fight organization in the world today, will finally hold a fightcard in the country after some failed attempts the last few years.

“I’d like to remind everyone that this is no commitment but I predict, with help of good partners like ABS CBN and Balls, fans and the media, the UFC will bring a fightcard to Manila in 2014,” said Fischer in yesterday’s press conference he graced with Filipino middleweight contender Mark Munoz at the the ELJ Building in Quezon City.

Top BALLS channel officials headed by Jojo Estacio and Fischer are expected to meet with the Mall of Asia people to open talks on the possible staging of the 2014 UFC event at the MOA Arena, which will host a historic first NBA pre-season game pitting the Indiana Pacers with the Houston Rockets on Oct. 10.

“If plans don’t miscarry, it will push through,” said Estacio.

Fischer hopes Munoz, who is fighting Tim Boetsch in UFC 162 on July 7 (Phl time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, will headline the UFC fight card.

“If it happens, we’d like a Filipino like Mark Munoz to be in the main card, that would be a spectacle to see,” said Fischer.

“I hope to God it happens, it will be an honor to fight before our countrymen because I’m every bit a Filipino,” said Munoz, whose father hails from Bicol and mother from Sta. Ana, Manila.

UFC have recently been aggressive in experimenting with the Asian market having held fightcards in Japan twice and Macau, China once with plans of holding about seven more in the next two years.

“If you’re going to ask me, the Phl is ranked in the top three in the UFC’s Asian Market next to Japan and Korea, countries which we all know have traditionally great fighters,” said Fischer. “Now we see talented fighters from the Phl knocking on our doors and we know there are going to be more Mark Muñoz in the UFC.”