UFC Inks Exclusive Deal to Broadcast In Mexico and Latin America

The UFC has long been rumored to expand into the fighting hotbeds of Mexico and Latin America, and today that step has been taken. News comes today from MMA Junkie that the UFC has inked an exclusive deal with Televisa to broadcast in 20 Spanish-speaking countries with the launching of an actual UFC channel. Until then, UFC content will be airing on TDN in Mexico and Golden Channel in Latin America.

The move was a no-brainer for the UFC, whose recent expansion into Brazil has been met with roaring success. With heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez having a huge following south of the border thanks to his Mexican heritage, a huge event could soon be booked for Mexico. UFC co-owner Lorenzo Ferttita was on hand to address the subject:

“The launch of the UFC Channel will be a game changer for our sport and its fans throughout Latin America. We are giving millions of fans across the region complete access to all our live events and programming for the first time.”

Indeed the move is a huge announcement of a move that was essentially inevitable due to the love of fighting Latin America. Dana White is always looking to expand the UFC brand, so he’s obviously excited about the prospects of a new demographic. He expressed that he thought the deal would be done sooner than this, but when it all comes to fruition, the results will be spectacular:

“The way that Brazil caught on fire and took off – Mexico‘s taking a lot longer than I thought it would, but it’s coming. The culture in Mexico, they’re fighters. The greatest fighters in history come from Mexico, and there’s that whole famous Mexican style of fighting – and you see it some of the guys we have here now. It’s getting there slower than I thought it was going to, but when it all comes together, it’s going to be amazing.”

The UFC has truly gone global with its aggressive expansion plan, and that can nly be a good thing for true fans of MMA. No word has come yet on what will be the first event in Mexico, but one would have to think that it will most likely feature Cain Velasquez fighting in the main event. MMA is growing rapidly, and it was essential to lock up Mexico and Latin America as core target areas. It will be exciting to see what direction the UFC takes from here, so let me know your ideas for the expansion below!