UFC Considering Manaus, Brazil Show in 2012, Possible Crowd of 100,000

Quote :

With a sold-out event already guaranteed for the UFC's first voyage in over a decade to Brazil, the wheels are already in motion for the promotion's return in 2012. And one of the possibilities is a whopper.

In fact, if the UFC pulls it off, it could become the biggest MMA show of all-time.

According to several Brazilian newspapers, on Tuesday, Zuffa co-owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta met with Omar Aziz, the governor of Amazonas, and his deputy Jose Melo, among others. There, the group discussed a possible August 2012 date for the UFC that could nearly double the UFC's previous record attendance.

According to the reports, the event would be held at Manaus' Convention Center -- popularly called "Sambódromo." The sprawling, outdoor venue is over 400 meters long and can hold a capacity of over 100,000.

"The opportunity to realize the UFC in Manaus and bring home some of the great fighters who are from this region is something that makes us very excited," Lorenzo Fertitta said.

To date, the largest crowd in UFC history is the 55,724 that filled Rogers Centre in Toronto for UFC 129. The all-time MMA attendance record is held by a joint PRIDE/K-1 promotion in 2002 that reportedly drew 91,107 fans to Tokyo National Stadium in Japan, though that number was never verified and largely believed to have been inflated.

Saturday's UFC 134 will see 14,000 fans fill Rio's HSBC Arena. The event sold out in just over an hour, and UFC officials have noted regret at not booking a larger venue. The Manaus show would potentially blow that show away, along with every other show UFC's ever done.

http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/08/24/ufc-considering-manaus-brazil-show-in-august-2012-possible-cro/?a_dgi=aolshare_twitter

But but but the UFC isnt mainstream, can't sell out stadiums, and is a tiny lil niche sport!

muhahaaha

Wolfgangsta wrote:

But but but the UFC isnt mainstream, can't sell out stadiums, and is a tiny lil niche sport!

Not in Brazil. Newb.

What is funny is you me everyone including the UFC didn't realize how the UFC was growing there in terms of popularity. Now that it's taken on a nationalistic bent as they realize this hugely popular American, Japanese and international sport is heavily based in Brazilian arts and on Brazilian athletes, they've embraced it culturally. Wonderful for the sport.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

What is funny is you me everyone including the UFC didn't realize how the UFC was growing there in terms of popularity. Now that it's taken on a nationalistic bent as they realize this hugely popular American, Japanese and international sport is heavily based in Brazilian arts and on Brazilian athletes, they've embraced it culturally. Wonderful for the sport.

Absolutely, very true.

The UFC's diversification this year has really helped the sport. People say the UFC isn't growing but PPV sales alone are not the only indicator. The crowd in Canada, the interest in Brazil, the Fox deal, the SF purchase. This has been a huge year for the UFC even if PPV sales have dipped for a variety of reasons.

The UFC makes 100 mill a year now just for the free shows. That is a serious revenue stream that is not PPV reliant. The first major step in moving away eventually from PPV. Now that they can count on huge gates in Brazil, even better.

One thing about Brazil is, I doubt the average ticket price is anywhere near what it is in the US.


And I think that, more then the UFC's view on the popularity of MMA in Brazil, is what kept them from going there earlier.



These fights in foreign countries is one of the biggest signs of MMA's growth. Canada, England Australia, now Brazil.

I don't think PPV buys for a particular event should carry as much relevance considering how many fights are available these days, both in terms of ppv, and free tv.

I don't think anyone can honestly say MMA is not growing.

Silva vs. Sonnen II.

Ali wrote:

Silva vs. Sonnen II.

better beef up security.

captain organic wrote:

Ali wrote:

Silva vs. Sonnen II.

better beef up security.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

But but but the UFC isnt mainstream, can't sell out stadiums, and is a tiny lil niche sport!

You forgot that it's just a fad.

Brazil is first world than a motherfucker, I don't think ticket prices will be way way lower. Even if they were 10% of the usual ticket, the UFC still makes the typical gate on a show this big.

Brazil has a very, very large group of rather wealthy people they can draw from. If they went to Sao Paulo instead of Rio, they probably could've sold the tickets for a higher price, because Rio isn't exactly where that wealth is.

yeah, Sao Paolo has almost 20 million people... thats nutting fucks man!

Keep killing it UFC, they could go huge in Japan too, might set the World MMA attendance record there.

Did I ever post my UFC Coliseum idea? Got to get that one to Dana and Lorenzo.

Since the UFC absorbed the WEC everything seems to he falling into place. Now only if there weren't so much injuries...

LA wrote:

Did I ever post my UFC Coliseum idea? Got to get that one to Dana and Lorenzo.

What idea is that?

If Yushin Okami wins the title from Anderson in Brazi he'd become a rockstar in Japan.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

If Yushin Okami wins the title from Anderson in Brazi he'd become a rockstar in Japan.

And in my heart.

OU wrote:

Wolfgangsta wrote:

If Yushin Okami wins the title from Anderson in Brazi he'd become a rockstar in Japan.

And in my heart.

OU wrote:

Wolfgangsta wrote:

If Yushin Okami wins the title from Anderson in Brazi he'd become a rockstar in Japan.

And in my heart.

Agreed.

I'm torn between wanting Anderson to lose but also wanting Chael or Vitor to be the ones that do it.

bobbitt15 wrote:

I'm torn between wanting Anderson to lose but also wanting Chael or Vitor to be the ones that do it.

Well it would be nice to see one of your fav fighters be the one to dethrone Spider, on the bright side it does make it more likely for either man to hold the belt.