As the UFC continues its aggressive global expansion plans, Australia has emerged as one of the most passionate fanbases for the promotion. Now the country could soon play host to a stadium event. UFC officials have in recent years teased a potential visit to Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium , a 50,000-plus-seat stadium primarily used for Australian rules football, rugby, rugby union, soccer and cricket. However, there was one major hurdle standing in the way of such a high-profile event: The state government of Victoria, where Melbourne is located, prevented mixed-martial-arts contests from taking place in a caged fighting area (including the UFC’s signature octagon). In 2013, UFC officials announced a social media campaign, entitled “ Click for Vic ,” aimed at educating Australian citizens and garnering public support to change the policy, which the promotion argued actually enhances fighter safety. “This year alone, the UFC will hold more than 30 events around the world and close to 400 individual competitions, all held in a safe, fenced-in enclosure,” UFC Director of Operations for Australia, New Zealand and Canada Tom Wright stated in 2013.
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Australian election results could pave way for massive Melbourne stadium event for UFC – MMA Junkie