Singapore hosts first UFC in SEA

MANILA, Philippines - Singapore, not the Philippines, has turned out to be the first Southeast Asian destination of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

UFC, considered the best and most prestigious fight organization in the world, will hold a fight card in the region for the first time ever via the UFC Fight Night 34 at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore tomorrow.

The historic event will feature 10 fights headlined by the showdown between Hyun Gyu Lim of South Korea and former Strikeforce standout Tarec Saffiedine of Belgium.

Interestingly, Hyun, who has won his first two UFC fights over Marcelo Guimaraes and Pascal Krauss via knockouts, fought in Manila two years ago via another fight outfit, Guam-based Pacific X-Treme Cagefighting, which holds about four to five cards in the Phl every year.

The UFC had broached a plan to make the Phl the potential first destination as part of its Asian expansion since the country boasts of the biggest mixed martial arts market in Asia next to Japan and South Korea.

During his visit to Manila last year, UFC Asia chief Mark Fischer was quoted a saying Manila would be the first choice this year.

“I’d like to remind everyone that this is no commitment but I predict, with help of good partners like ABS-CBN and Balls, fans and the media, the UFC will bring a fightcard to Manila in 2014,” Fischer said.

Upon check with Jojo Estacio, a top executive at Balls, she said there’s no update yet as to when UFC would hold one in the Philippines.

The UFC, which has held several cards in Asia like Japan, South Korea and Macau in less than a year, has come to Southeast Asia and, if things work out fine, the Philippines could be next.