UFC announces Jan. 4 for debut event in Singapore

The UFC will makes its debut in Southeast Asia when it hosts an event in Singapore on Jan. 4, officials today announced.

According to the announcement, it’ll be one of “several” events in Asia in 2014.

Venue and broadcast plans weren’t announced, and no fights have been booked for the card. Ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks.

The UFC’s recent stops in Asia have included UFC on FUEL TV 8 (Saitama, Japan, in March) and UFC on FUEL TV 6 (Macau in November 2012).

“This marks a bold step for UFC’s expansion in Asia and is the first of a series of events in Asia planned for 2014,” UFC Managing Director of Asia Mark Fischer stated. “After kicking off the year in Singapore, our fans can expect several other UFC events around the region on the docket next year, including two more fights at the Venetian’s Cotai Arena in Macau.

“We know many fans in Singapore and Southeast Asia have been waiting to experience the excitement of a live UFC event, and this will certainly be a great springboard for our continued development in this part of the world.”

According to the announcement, the cards will feature a mix of established UFC stars and top Asian prospects. Some of those prospects could come from the upcoming Chinese version of “The Ultimate Fighter,” which is expected to debut in November.

UFC officials have promised a bigger presence in Asia, where ONE FC has excelled following the shuttering of promotions such as DREAM and World Victory Road/Sengoku. According to the announcement, the UFC, which opened a Beijing office in 2010, now reaches 1.5 billion homes in Asia thanks to its array of broadcast and streaming deals.

For more on UFC in Singapore, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Mark Fischer)