Marc Ratner expects the UFC to travel to Africa, Spain within two years

UFC vice president of regulatory affairs Marc Ratner sees the promotion traveling to Africa and Spain over the next two years.

Ratner worked diligently behind the scenes for years, helping push the UFC into new markets. The Las Vegas-based promotion has successfully taken root in several countries, including a recent focus on Mexico and China.

Promoters have often discussed Africa as a destination, especially when the ‘three kings’, Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman, along with Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou, were all champions. UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa is the only current champion from the continent.

UFC CEO Dana White has said he will not only bring an event to Africa before he retires, but will also create a Performance Institute.

Ratner sees it as a possibility, and very soon.

“I think the next big frontier, I believe, whether it’s 2025 or 2026, is going to be the continent of Africa,” Ratner told MMA Junkie Radio at SEICon. “I think you’ll see matches in Johannesburg or Rwanda, that sort of thing. I think it’s out there.”

Part of moving an event to a new country is the challenge of finding the right location and venue. This is not only true for a large continent like Africa, where a decision has to be made about which country also has to be made, but also for smaller countries in Europe like Ireland, where superstar Conor McGregor wanted to bring an event to a field.

“I think the problem with going to Ireland and Croke Park was some time constraints,” Ratner explained. “You couldn’t have it – because you have to do it for American TV, too. So like in Manchester, I think the main events will be at 3 or 4 in the morning, something like that. So that comes into play and I don’t think we could be in that park in Ireland that late.”

Another country on the map for the UFC is Spain, as featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has quickly become a big star. The German-born fighter has lived in Spain since he was a teenager and has set his sights on bringing a major event to the country.

The Santiago Bernabéu stadium, home of Real Madrid, is often mentioned as a possible venue. With a capacity of 80,000 for football matches, it would be an incredible stage for a UFC event.

“Topuria is a huge fighter and Spain will happen one day,” Ratner said. “It won’t be this year, but I’d love to see it happen. … (2025) is definitely a (possibility).”