A source close to ongoing negotiations has told TASS that the UFC is in talks to stage events across Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia in 2027. No specific venues or fight cards have been confirmed at this stage.
A source close to ongoing negotiations has told Russian news agency TASS that the UFC is in discussions to bring live events to four Central Asian and Caucasus nations — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia — as early as 2027. No venues, dates, or fight cards have been confirmed, and the UFC has not issued an official statement on the matter.
The report should be treated as unconfirmed at this stage, as it originates from a single unnamed source and has not been corroborated by the promotion. Talks of this nature can stall or collapse before any formal announcement is made.
Why it matters
- The UFC has steadily expanded its global footprint in recent years, staging events across Europe, the Middle East, and Australia, making Central Asia and the Caucasus a logical next frontier.
- Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in particular have produced a growing number of combat sports athletes competing at the highest levels of MMA, suggesting an engaged local fanbase that could support live events.
- Georgia has a deep wrestling tradition and an increasingly visible MMA scene, while Kyrgyzstan's inclusion would mark the promotion's first foray into that market.
- A confirmed deal would likely be accompanied by regionally relevant fight cards, potentially elevating local fighters onto a bigger stage and accelerating talent development across all four countries.
