With Brandon Vera, UFC expansion poised for warm response in Philippines
by Steve Sievert on Aug 26, 2008 at 6:25 pm ET
For the past two years, the UFC has had its sights set on expanding internationally.
The organization has taken some initial steps in that regard by reestablishing the promotion in the United Kingdom and taking the octagon on a trek north to Montreal. The UFC is planning to rack up some additional frequent flyer miles next year, according to
a report from Dave Metzler of Yahoo! Sports, a content partner of
MMAjunkie.com (
UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com).
Australia, Sweden, Italy and the Philippines are on the roadmap for expansion in 2009. UFC boss Dana White likes to say that the UFC -- not MMA, but the UFC -- will be the biggest sport in the world, bigger than the NFL or World Cup soccer, in the foreseeable future. With the UFC preparing to bring its brand of MMA to virgin territory in Europe and Southeast Asia next year, White's prediction will officially be on the clock.
Behind the scenes, the UFC is already taking steps to increase its chances for global success. Earlier this year, the UFC sent one of its PR staffers and Brandon Vera on a goodwill tour to the Philippines. The fighter, whose father Ernesto is Filipino, has strong ties to the country.
"When we did an open workout there, about 4,000 people showed up to watch me train at a mall," said Vera, who has several family members living in the Philippines. "You can take it from there. I speak the language. I get along with everybody well. I understand the people in the Philippines and their struggles. I just keep it real with them, and they love the fact that I'm down. No matter how big or small I am in the fight, I'm going to be fighting, and they love it. I just feed off the energy, so it's kind of like a cyclical thing with them. As much as they give me, I give it back to them."
Vera was blown away by the response he received.
"Yeah, about 4,000 people showed up. It was ridiculous," he said. "The UFC was like, 'I can't believe there's this many people here.' They said they arranged this in 10 days, and this is how many people showed up."
Based on the outpouring of interest and support, Vera has no doubt that a UFC show in the Philippines would sell, and he would be the first fighter in line to secure a spot on the fight card.
"Man, to be able to fight in front of my parents' own country, and have them watch in Araneta Coliseum where the 'Thrilla in Manila' took place, that would mean a lot to me," he said. "I don't know; that might even mean more than any titles because it's home, I guess. That's a super-big deal. If the UFC is down to going to (the Philippines), I'm for sure down."
Japan is another country that the UFC has in its expansion plans.
Steve Sievert is the lead staff writer and business columnist for MMAjunkie.com. He is also the former MMA beat writer and lead blogger for the Houston Chronicle.
Vera to warm up Phillipine crowd
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