UFC to launch Dana White’s Contender Series Asia in 2020

LAS VEGAS and SHANGHAI – UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, today announced plans to launch the first-ever Asia edition of Dana White’s Contender Series, the groundbreaking mixed martial arts fight series that showcases up-and-coming talent, as well as athletes striving to revive their professional careers.

The inaugural season of Dana White’s Contender Series Asia will launch in 2020 and be hosted from the new, state-of-the-art UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai. At 93,000 square feet, the building is the world’s largest MMA training and development facility and nearly three times as large as the original UFC Performance Institute® in Las Vegas. The structure was built with advanced production capabilities with spectator seating that allows UFC to produce and distribute events, such as Dana White’s Contender Series, and other original programming.

One of my favorite parts of my job is looking for up-and-coming talent,” said UFC President Dana White. “There’s no area in the world right now with more potential MMA talent than Asia. We’re going to use Dana White’s Contender Series to find these fighters, develop them, and give them the opportunity to perform on the biggest stage in combat sports.”

Like its U.S. counterpart, Dana White’s Contender Series Asia will feature both male and female athletes. All 11 UFC weight classes will be considered for the show and bout results will count towards athletes’ professional records.

In the United States, the series has launched UFC careers for notable athletes, including bantamweight Sean O’Malley (10-0); heavyweight Greg Hardy (5-1); and flyweight Maycee Barber (8-0). Additional details concerning fight schedules, format, and participants will be announced at a later date.

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 300 million fans and 70 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly one billion TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 60 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC was acquired in 2016 by global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor, along with strategic investors Silver Lake Partners and KKR. UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.