With Azerbaijan in the Mix, Where Should the UFC Go Next?
Dana White made a promise for 2025: the UFC would expand its reach globally. This means stepping away from the Apex and hosting events in new locations where the UFC has either never been or hasn’t visited in a long time. So far in 2025, Dana has lived up to his word. The UFC has not only booked events in cities across the U.S., like Seattle, Des Moines, and Kansas City but it has also been rumored to be visiting Azerbaijan in its first-ever UFC event in June. While there aren’t many UFC fighters from Azerbaijan at the moment, Rafael Fiziev comes to mind, Azerbaijan is an ideal location given its proximity to regions like Dagestan, Georgia, and Armenia, which have a rich MMA culture and a large number of fighters. This makes Azerbaijan an attractive event location for fighters from these areas, as it will be the closest the UFC has gone to their home countries, providing an opportunity for these athletes to showcase their talents in front of a home crowd.
Warsaw, Poland
The UFC hasn't hosted an event in Poland since 2017, when it took place in the smaller city of Gdańsk. Warsaw, however, is a major city with a rich MMA culture and a thriving sports atmosphere. Hosting a fight night in Warsaw would be an excellent choice for a main event, as it is one of Europe’s largest cities. Poland has produced many skilled UFC fighters, including Mateusz Gamrot, Marcin Tybura, and Jan Błachowicz, who would likely be eager to compete in their home country. Warsaw’s central location in Europe would also make it accessible to fans and fighters from nearby countries, such as Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Germany, all of which have produced notable UFC athletes. With the UFC’s growing popularity in Europe, Warsaw could provide an ideal setting for an exciting event that could draw large crowds and increase engagement with fans in the region.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
The UFC has only hosted one event in Argentina, which took place in 2018. However, the UFC has a growing presence in South America, and several Argentine fighters are currently climbing through the ranks. Fighters like Ailín Pérez, Esteban Ribovics, and Kevin Vallejos, who has been compared to Ilia Topuria for his knockout power, are making waves in the UFC. With Brazil as a neighboring country, a UFC event in Buenos Aires could attract a significant number of fighters and fans from both Argentina and Brazil. The addition of rising fighters from other South American countries, like Ignacio Bahamondes from Chile, further increases the potential for a successful event. Hosting a UFC event in Buenos Aires would not only strengthen the UFC’s hold on the region but also provide an exciting opportunity for fans to experience high-level MMA in their home country.
Tokyo, Japan
The UFC hasn't held an event in Japan for over a decade, but Japan has a rich history in MMA, and the sport remains incredibly popular. UFC 29 was held in Tokyo, and it would be great for the UFC to return to the city for at least a fight night. There are currently seven UFC fighters from Japan, and Dana White has been in talks to sign more. Fighters like Kai Asakura, who was immediately given a title shot in his UFC debut, and Tatsuro Taira, and Rinya Nakamura are prime examples of Japanese talent in the UFC. Japan’s proximity to other MMA-rich regions like South Korea and China, as well as Tokyo’s international appeal and large fanbase, make it an ideal location for an event. The city is an economic powerhouse and a cultural hub, offering both UFC fighters and fans an incredible opportunity for exposure. A UFC event in Tokyo would allow the organization to tap into the potential of the Asian market and provide local fans with the chance to watch top-level fighters compete on home soil.
Conclusion
While the UFC has made great strides in expanding its event locations, there are still many regions around the world that could benefit from hosting an event. Expanding to these areas not only increases fan engagement but also opens up opportunities for fighters from these regions to compete on the world’s biggest stage. With countries like Azerbaijan, Poland, Argentina, and Japan offering exciting possibilities, the UFC’s global growth is just getting started. These potential locations have the infrastructure, fan bases, and talent pools to ensure the UFC’s international expansion will continue to be a major success. The future looks bright for UFC’s global outreach, and we can expect more thrilling events to be added to the calendar in the years to come.
