Is the UFC headed to Georgia?!
After spending a good portion of the previous few years working occasions inside the comfortable confines of The APEX in Las Vegas, the Final Preventing Championship is able to stretch its legs and hit the street.
Following Thursday’s Energy Slap 11 card in Riyadh, White was requested about doubtlessly bringing the UFC to Georgia in 2025. Whereas White couldn’t provide any specifics, he primarily confirmed that sure, an occasion within the transcontinental nation — not the state — is within the works.
“I imply, I met some guys the opposite day who had been pushing exhausting for me to carry a struggle to Georgia,” White stated on the post-fight press convention. “And will it make any extra sense than to go to Georgia proper now? No, it actually does. So, the reply to your query is sure.”
Positioned on the intersection of Japanese Europe and West Asia, Georgia has produced a few of the UFC’s largest stars, together with reigning bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and featherweight king Ilia Topuria, although ‘El Matador’ presently calls Spain residence.
Different noteworthy names out of Georgia embrace 15-win veteran Giga Chikadze and three-time Efficiency of the Night time winner Roman Dolidze.
‘The Machine’ takes some credit score for MMA’s explosion in Georgia
MMA has exploded within the nation and up to date years courtesy of rising stars like Dvalishvili who has captured the eye of struggle followers together with his endless gasoline tank contained in the Octagon and his entertaining presence on social media.
“I do know some fighters that began MMA due to me, and now they’re skilled fighters and a few organizations’ champions. This implies I’m outdated,” Dvalishvili stated with fun whereas talking with the UFC. “However I’m happy with this as a result of I used to be a part of the rationale MMA is common in my nation, in my hometown. MMA in Georgia is barely going up, and it’ll solely get higher and higher.
Dvalishvili additionally marveled at how rapidly MMA has change into a fan-favorite sport in his residence nation.
“They know each fighter within the UFC, who fights who, after they struggle, they actually know MMA. It’s very, superb. It’s loopy,” he added.