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Duncan will be thrilled. He's a big fan.
UFC has San Antonio in its sights for the fall
John Whisler - Express-News
Don't look now, but the Ultimate Fighting Championship could be on its way to the Alamo City.
The UFC, the biggest and best of the professional mixed martial arts organizations, is eyeing the AT&T Center for a show this coming fall.
“San Antonio is very much on our radar,” said Marc Ratner, vice president of government and regulatory affairs for the UFC. “If we can make it work, it will happen.”
That could be easier said than done, however. A lot of work needs to be done before we see the likes of Brock Lesnar, Anderson Silva or BJ Penn anytime soon.
Ratner said the UFC considered a stop in San Antonio a year ago, but ran into scheduling conflicts at the AT&T Center. Dates the UFC was looking at for 2008 were not available at the facility.
That wasn't surprising. Between the Spurs, the Rampage, the rodeo and assorted other events, it's often difficult to find open dates at the East Side arena.
AT&T Center officials confirmed the UFC's interest for 2009, but noted even open dates in the spring and early summer have to be reserved for the Spurs in case the team advances deep into the NBA playoffs.
As a result, Ratner said the UFC would consider bringing its show to Freeman Coliseum, which is located next door to the AT&T Center.
If it happens, it would be the second appearance in Texas for the UFC.
The first, on April 7, 2007, drew a crowd of 15,000 to the Toyota Center in Houston and generated a live gate of $2.8 million — the largest gate in Toyota Center history.
Ratner said the UFC's schedule is set through July and that the company is looking at a September-December window for San Antonio, depending on venue availability and PPV dates.
“Our fans would like to take a walk on the River Walk,” he said.
Once described by Sen. John McCain as “human fighting,” MMA has crept into the mainstream and become a billion-dollar business.
The sport of MMA's popularity has soared ever since the UFC was purchased by Las Vegas-based Zuffa LLC in 2001.
That's when the UFC began to tone down its wild act. It implemented new regulations to go along with an effective marketing strategy and gained acceptance from the YouTube generation by tapping into the 18-34 male demographic.
Contract disputes continue to plague the UFC, but that didn't stop the sport's most dominant promotions company from enjoying a banner year in 2008.
It effectively ran EliteXC, one of its prime compe ors — out of business and nearly did the same to another group, Affliction.
Inside the Octagon, there were numerous successes in 2008, too.
UFC went international, expanding north of the border into Montreal. UFC 83, that saw native son Georges St. Pierre reclaim the le he lost to Matt Serra in 2007, drew a UFC record 21,290 fans, a live gate of $5.1 million and generated 530,000 pay-per-view buys.
On Feb. 21, the company continues its international expansion with UFC 95 — in London.
Its plan is to spread the UFC gospel to new parts of this country, too, like San Antonio.
But will it work in what still is considered predominantly a boxing town?
Ratner said he's not worried.
The former head of the Nevada State Athletic Commission said a UFC show in the Alamo City likely would draw MMA fans from all over South Texas and the state.
“With the right fight, absolutely it would work there,” he said. “We're bullish on San Antonio.”
Duncan will be thrilled. He's a big fan.
That would be awesome. I live in southeastern Missouri, but I have family in San Antonio...so I wouldnt have to pay for a hotel!!!! yeah!
I wonder why not Dallas....
Because the Mavs suck! Boom!...Go Spurs Go!
if it's in the Freeman Coliseum it will just be a fight night card......... they should do it in the alamo dome
Just postpone a Rampage/Silver Stars game or something.
hah seriously tho...I wonder why...maybe the AAC is too busy and Reunion is already gutted. Shame.
I dont know. I did read that they where about to get MMA legalized in New York, which would be huge IMO for the sport.
They are...the UFC is spending millions trying to get it sanctioned.
They own this website http://www.mmafacts.com/
no to the Freeman Coliseum. Alamodome would be more than fine if the SBC didn't work out.
I think it has to do with the Mexican American fans from the Valley and also the northern Mexican's with money. That's a market that the UFC would be very smart to try and tap. and Dallas wouldn't help with that at all since it's such a long drive from the valley.
They'd probably have a card stacked with people like Cain, Efrain, and Huerta. That would do very well to spread the gospel of UFC and break into what is and always has been Boxing country.
The alamodome is too big. The UFC likes full arenas, and I doubt they could sell 35.000 tickets (which would be the smalles the dome could be configured for). 20,000 empty seats isn't what UFC wants people to see on a PPV event. Freeman might suck, but you fill that thing with 15,000 fans and the atmosphere would be great.
That makes a lot of sense. Dana said the Mexican market is one he really wants to tap into in 09.
Diego Sanchez...
That would be pretty kick ass.
have any of you been to a big MMA fight in a place like SBC center? I've been to lots of boxing in big places and its kinda hard to see unless you are close. I know i won't be able to afford a good ticket. i imagine its even harder to see MMA with the cage vs. ropes. Although the sight lines might be over the cage. Thoughts?
I can't imagine the Alamodome would even be considered it is just way too big.
Road trip
That would be awesome and have an after event gtg.
I'm in.
Last edited by desflood; 01-14-2009 at 05:16 PM. Reason: +1
Awesome thats 2 so far
Im in MORE THAN LIKELY!
3 so far, what about the Dallas boys? Evan, Leonard, Dallas?
Im in + 1.
Awesome, I had a feeling you would be
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