UFC plans more regular events in Europe

UFC executive Dave Shaw spoke to the media in London after UFC Fight Night 255. He discussed the promotion's plans for more events in Europe and the recent fight results. Shaw expressed satisfaction with the London event, noting it was a successful return after a previous event in Manchester. He praised Sean Brady's impressive victory against Leon Edwards, commenting that it surprised the crowd. Regarding future UK events, Shaw mentioned that UFC aims to hold shows in the UK twice a year. He believes they will return in 2025 but emphasized that event planning is done six to nine months in advance. Shaw addressed the potential fight between Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones. He pointed out that while everyone is excited about it, they are still working on scheduling the matchup. He also confirmed that Molly McCann's retirement may lead her to pursue an ambassador role within the UFC. Shaw referenced other athletes who have positively impacted their communities after retiring. On the topic of holding pay-per-view events in Europe, Shaw noted the challenges of scheduling and venue logistics. He expressed hope for future events in France, given the enthusiastic crowds at previous shows. Shaw commented on the growth of MMA in Europe, highlighting the success of the Oktagon promotion. He explained that such developments help create local talent and strengthen fan engagement. Regarding possible UFC events in Spain, Shaw mentioned they need to find appropriate venues. He acknowledged interest from UFC leadership about holding events there. He discussed the potential for events in Africa, mentioning several countries that could host future fights. Shaw stressed the importance of logistics and athlete availability. Shaw revealed that new markets are a priority for UFC, particularly those where fans have shown strong demand. He mentioned that athletes often advocate for events in their home countries. Finally, Shaw confirmed that UFC plans to return to Amsterdam and Poland in the future, depending on scheduling and available venues. Overall, he is optimistic about expanding UFC's reach in Europe and beyond in the coming years.