NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns promises huge UFC boost for state, Volkanovski hails move
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How the UFC will get a HUGE historic boost in Australia if the NSW Opposition wins the next election, with superstar Alex Volkanovski calling the move “incredible”
- NSW opposition promises three UFC pay-per-view events if elected
- Chris Minns wants to make NSW the home of the UFC in Australia and New Zealand
- UFC superstar Alex Volkanovski called the planned move ‘incredible’
The NSW Opposition has vowed to bring three blockbuster UFC pay-per-view events to the region if he is elected, in a move that featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski described as “incredible”.
Labor leader Chris Minns has pledged to make New South Wales the home of the UFC in Australia and New Zealand, bringing tourism, jobs and boosting Sydney’s status as a sports capital.
The NSW Opposition has vowed to bring three blockbuster UFC pay-per-view events to the region if elected, in a move featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski (pictured) described as “incredible.”
Labor leader Chris Minns (pictured with Alex Volkanovski) has pledged to make New South Wales the home of the UFC in Australia and New Zealand, bringing tourism, jobs and boosting Sydney’s status as a capital sporty.
MMA has grown in popularity in Australia over the past two decades, but Sydney hasn’t hosted a UFC pay-per-view event since 2011.
‘We all know how passionate NSW is about the sport. And I want to make sure we attract more big events right here in New South Wales,” said Mr Minns.
‘It brings entertainment, jobs, tourism dollars, enhances Sydney’s sporting reputation and showcases our state to the world.’
‘I want to see local Illawarra Alexander Volkanovski defend his world title in Sydney. If Labor is elected, he will have that opportunity.
Pound-for-pound king Alex Volkanovski, who will fight Islam Makhachev in Perth on February 12, is excited by the idea of more events in his home state.
“That would be amazing,” he said. ‘To defend a belt here in Sydney would be amazing. Defending it three times would be even better.
Broadcasting the sold-out Perth show is big business and will reach 900 million TV households, in 170 countries and in 50 different languages.
The number of Australian and New Zealand fighters in the upper ranks of MMA has also increased in recent years, with stars such as Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, Tai Tuivasa (pictured) and Alex Volkanovski becoming household names.
In 2019, more than 57,000 fight fans flocked to Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, making it the biggest UFC event of all time.
It also generated $121 million in economic activity, $57 million in wages that paid for 922 full-time equivalent jobs, and more than 26,000 room-night reservations.
The number of Australian and New Zealand fighters at the top of MMA has also skyrocketed in recent years, with stars like Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, Tai Tuivasa and Alex Volkanovski becoming household names.
Sydney star Robert Whittaker pictured after his recent fight with Marvin Vettori
Proud Western Sydney slugger Tai Tuivasa has long called for the promotion to revisit Australia, and preferably Western Sydney.
“Even if it’s not because of my fight, we have Alex Volkanovski and he’s one of the best to do it, so we have some big names and I’m sure Australia would love the UFC on home soil,” Tuivasa said. Daily Mail Australia in 2022.