The Ultimate Fighter China – The UFC and China will Reap the Rewards
By Christopher Jester
The Asian population in the UFC is slim and fighters with Chinese nationality is even slimmer. Perhaps this is why the UFC has been so adamant in expanding its brand into Asian countries. With UFC Macau last year, the UFC surely caught the attention of the Chinese nation. It was a success with Cung Le knocking out Rich Franklin in the main event, and it showcased that the UFC can be successful in China.
With the recently announced The Ultimate Fighter: China, this can only attract Chinese nationals to tryout and drive towards becoming UFC fighters – a goal that seems like it may have been out of reach for upstart Chinese fighters until now. This sort of move by the UFC is a long time coming, but how can a TUF: China help the UFC?
For one, it could definitely help continue to build its brand. There are only two Chinese fighters on the UFC’s roster – Tiequan Zhang and the recently signed Jumabieke Tuerxun. Despite having a UFC office in China, very little recruiting has been done in the country. Now with an international version of The Ultimate Fighter heading to their soil, things can finally change and a wave of new Chinese fighters can enter the Octagon to prove their value.
It goes without saying, the UFC is growing rapidly and is no longer limited to just hosting events in Las Vegas and other major North American cities. With the Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, the Ultimate Fighter Nations, and now the Ultimate Fighter: China, the UFC is compiling a wide variety of international versions of their hit show the Ultimate Fighter. Whether ratings are failing or not, it is definitely worth stating that the show has produced many talented fighters that help fill out the UFC’s roster.
TUF: China will help its home country as well. China is not a common residence for mixed martial arts. Its participation in the sport is limited, although there has been some recent success with the rise of ONE FC. Due to the lack of MMA participation, this contributes to why there are so few Chinese fighters in the UFC. This version of TUF will help expose MMA to the Chinese culture. Not only that, but just like other versions of TUF, the finale will broadcast live globally. This will expose many of the Chinese fighters to other countries as well.
This give-and-take relationship between China and the UFC will benefit both parties, as ticket sales will help the UFC and the presence of the organization will assist the local economy. The more the UFC puts on shows in the Chinese area, the more exposure MMA will receive in the country, which ultimately will help both in the long-run.
A well-planned inclusion now will surely benefit the most in the future, as other cultures and countries may see the benefit of the UFC in its country. Such a campaign will surely help the UFC peer into other markets for potential moneymakers. The UFC has wanted to venture into India, and although it has yet to do so, success with TUF: China may very well be the catalyst that gets the ball rolling.
So with TUF: China holding tryouts this July and August, it is highly likely that the a first season will air sometime in the later part of 2013. Its success will merit further investigation into what other markets could be of benefit to the UFC. For the most part, the UFC will gain a lot of exposure in the Chinese market and likely from other Asian markets as well. More exposure, produces more fighters. As Chinese fighters begin to find a home in the UFC, its popularity among the Chinese culture will only mean more business for Zuffa.
Follow Christopher “sLapDatSuCKa” Jester on Twitter @sLapDatSuCka
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