More than ever, the UFC truly will span the globe in 2015, with 45 scheduled events from Japan to Canada, Brazil to Mexico, and all points in between, continuing the company’s quest to not just make the UFC a truly international brand, but to make mixed martial arts the biggest sport on the planet.
In 1995, the fledgling promotion presented four events in the United States as it was in the process of introducing the new sport of MMA to the world. A decade later in 2005, buoyed by the success of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter and the efforts of the brand’s new owners – Zuffa, LLC - fans were treated to ten U.S. events featuring the best fighters in the world.
But in 2015, the bar will be lifted to new heights, and the year’s full schedule, which begins on January 3 with UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier and runs through December 19, was announced Monday afternoon at THE TIME IS NOW event in Las Vegas.
The event, which was attended by media from around the world as well as fight fans, featured the headliners of the star-studded shows running through the end of February, including world champions Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey and Chris Weidman, former champions Vitor Belfort, Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva, and top stars Nick Diaz, Alexander Gustafsson and Conor McGregor.
The big star of THE TIME IS NOW was the 2015 slate, which marked the first time in company history that the entire schedule for a calendar year was revealed to the public in a single instance. At the moment, 2015 will feature 45 events taking place in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Europe, Australia and Asia.
Approximately half of the events will take place in the United States, with six scheduled for the Fight Capital of the World, Las Vegas. Other target markets for the company’s international shows include the UK, Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Japan, China, Korea, Philippines, Toronto, Montreal and Calgary. If sanctioning is secured, the UFC also hopes to present its first event in the state of Victoria in Australia.
For U.S. fans, 13 events will be aired on Pay-Per-View, with four cards airing on FOX and 18 on FOX Sports 1. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers are scheduled to see 10 exclusive events with their membership. Fans can also get involved by helping the UFC choose the location for the Harley-Davidson Hometown Throwdown card being held in 2015.
Tickets for the opening salvo of 2015 UFC events go on sale this week. Stay tuned to UFC.com for further details.