The UFC is in talks to stage events in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia in 2027, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
According to a source familiar with ongoing negotiations, the UFC is in talks to stage events across four Central Asian and Caucasian nations — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia — sometime in 2027. The discussions have not been officially confirmed by the promotion.
If the plans come to fruition, the slate would represent one of the most ambitious regional expansions the UFC has undertaken, bringing multiple events to countries that have never previously hosted a UFC card. The four nations sit at the intersection of Central Asia and the South Caucasus, a region that has produced a growing wave of competitive MMA talent in recent years.
Why it matters
- A 2027 swing through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia would significantly extend the UFC's live-event footprint beyond its traditional North American, European, and Asia-Pacific markets.
- The region has a deep combat sports culture rooted in wrestling and judo, and local fan bases for MMA have expanded steadily alongside the rise of fighters from those countries on the global stage.
- Hosting events in-market typically accelerates sponsorship deals, broadcast agreements, and fighter signings tied to those territories, making the business case as significant as the sporting one.
- Because these discussions remain unconfirmed, the number of events, specific cities, and any associated cards are all unknown at this stage.
The report arrives as the UFC continues an aggressive international scheduling strategy, with the promotion having already demonstrated appetite for first-time markets in recent years. No official announcement from the UFC or any of the four national athletic or government bodies involved has been made as of the date of this report.
