Zelaznik Talks International UFC Business

Steve Cofield of Yahoo! Sports Cagewriter hosts the UFC’s Managing Direct of International Development to discuss the international side of mixed martial arts and the UFC.

Payout Perspective:

Many raised an eyebrow when Dana White revealed last week that Abu Dhabi was planning on building an arena ostensibly for the UFC. Zelaznik clarifies that it won’t be an arena in the traditional sense – one with a roof over its head – but it will be an outdoor facility with raised seating and built in a “coliseum-style” set-up.

I would be a little surprised if this facility were being built solely for the UFC. It’s probably more the case that Abu Dhabi had been looking to do this for a while and the UFC has provided the final impetus to actually get moving on the project. The likelihood that the arena being built is the one and the same that houses UFC 112 seems remote at this point, but I wouldn’t exactly underestimate the resolve of the Abu Dhabi government, either.

Some have also questioned the wisdom behind the idea of having an outdoor event in the smoldering heat of Abu Dhabi, but it’s not unlike most sub-tropical climates: very, very hot in the summer but mild in the winter; and at night time it cools off considerably. You can expect that if the UFC is going to do an annual show in Abu Dhabi it’ll be probably be around April (to avoid the rainy season of January-March but beat the heat of June-September).

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Zelaznik said he plans on marketing the event to a host of European and Asian countries, because he feels the flight is manageable and isn’t yet sure how much internal demand the fight will generate (cited Australia as an example of people traveling from all over to see the fight). The only issue here is whether or not some of that targeted fan base will be able to travel to the UAE without a large hassle.

A quick glance at UAE immigration reveals that members of the Arab Gulf Countries Council or 39 other countries – including key European MMA footholds like the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy – do not need a tourist visa to gain entry. However, citizens of China and India must seek a travel visa prior to entry, which could turn some people off. Then again, the thought process is likely that those with the wherewithal to fly to UAE for a weekend UFC event likely have the means to get/wait for a visa.