UFC eyes card in Manila in 2014

MANILA, Philippines - A top official of the Ultimate Fighting Championship has hinted at staging a blockbuster UFC card in the Philippines next year as part of its expansion in the lucrative Asian market.

“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 UFC Asia head Mark Fischer.

It was also Fischer who announced in Macau that the UFC is scheduled to hold “at least 10 fights in Asia in the next two years.”

Next to Japan and China, the Philippines is the next big Asian market with the MMA (mixed martial arts) events producing huge turnouts the last few 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,” he added.

Muñoz is one of the two US-based Filipino fighters, the other being Brandon Vera.