UFC Event Set for China in November, 2012

Getting into China has long since been a key component to the UFC's quest for world domination, and according to Dana White, things have fallen into place.

Late last night White tweeted the following: "We finally got China done! We're headed to Macau in November!!!"

The UFC has been hellbent on developing its brand worldwide and news of an upcoming expansion into China is a coup for the promotion. Not only does it give Dana and friends something to cross off the old bucket list, it provides an avenue to increase the company's fan-base by no small amount.

China, the most populous country in the world, is a relatively untapped MMA market. Though regional shows are held inside the Great Wall and national competitors have tested their mettle on the international circuit, the sport as a national commodity remains in its infantile stages.

While the lack of MMA infrastructure in China may hinder Zuffa's capacity to develop a loyal following, the potential reward of making roots in the country is staggering simply because of the sheer number of potential fans that make up the Chinese nation.

Even if the sport doesn't catch on on a large scale in China, a tiny Chinese following is still larger than a massive Canadian following or even a substantial American one. 

That is, of course, the appeal of of entering the largest market on the globe; even if just one percent of people are receptive to the product that will be a huge win for the UFC.

There is no word yet on which fighters will participate on what MMAweekly reports to be a Fuel TV card, but you can bet that the UFC won't skimp on the talent. You can also bet that Tiequan Zhang, the UFC's lone Chinese fighter, will participate. There is also a good chance that some national fighters external to the UFC will be recruited to fill up the undercard for the event.

Regardless of the card that is conceived to christen the Chinese market the very fact that an event will be held there is a massive win for Zuffa and a real boon to the company's global development program.