In a recent press conference, UFC President Dana White expressed interest in hosting a mixed martial arts event in Russia, even suggesting that President Vladimir Putin would be welcome to attend.
When asked by a Russian media outlet if he would like Putin to attend a hypothetical UFC event in Russia, White responded enthusiastically. “President Putin, um, you know, it’s funny because any president of a country that comes to a fight? Obviously, we would be blown away and honored to have you know at any of our fights,” he said.
White’s comments come on the heels of a growing relationship between the UFC and Russian officials. A number of UFC athletes of Russian descent has had trouble getting visas. This is one of the reasons for an extended break in Chimaev’s career and relative lack of activity compared to his start in the promotion.
Hosting a UFC event in Russia could be a lucrative opportunity for the organization. Of course, UFC is staying as far away from Russia as possible during the war and had even temporarily banned all their athletes to display flags as to not provoke a public outcry about promoting Russia during the early days of Ukraine Invasion.
The possibility of Putin attending a UFC event is not unprecedented. In 2020, then-US President Donald Trump attended a UFC event in Florida, marking the first time a sitting US president had attended a mixed martial arts event.
While White’s comments are purely hypothetical at this point, they suggest White is adept at navigating the political waters.
In recent years, the UFC has hosted events in countries around the world, including Brazil, China, and the United Arab Emirates. Russia, with its rich sporting heritage and growing interest in mixed martial arts, could be an attractive target for the organization’s next international venture if peace is achieved.
