The UFC does not shy away from spectacle. Dana White knows that international expansion and national pride are at the heart of his promotion’s success. From humble beginnings in what coastal Americans call “flyover states” to the bright lights of Las Vegas, and from there to major events on every continent but two. The UFC puts on shows in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Only Antarctica and Africa remain, and that might be about to change: Dana has his sights set on a major event in the cradle of humanity.
Taking to the Bill Simmons podcast this April, Dana had this to say: “One of the cool things is right now we have three African champions: Francis Ngannou, Usman and Israel Adesanya. One of the many monumental times in my career, but one of the things that I’ve always wanted to do is have a fight in Africa.”
Is the UFC’s Own Rumble in the Jungle On Its Way?
Kamaru Usman, born in Nigeria, was the first African to claim a UFC belt. Nobody knew, when he defeated Tyron Woodley, he heralded the beginning of an era of African dominance.
A month later, his fellow Nigerian Israel Adesanya claimed the interim Middleweight title when he destroyed Kelvin Gastelum.
When Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou knocked Stipe Miocic cold at UFC 260, three UFC divisions were led by African champions.
Both Usman and Adesanya look near unstoppable in their divisions. Adesanya’s only MMA defeat came when he attempted to move up to Light Heavyweight and take on Jan Blachowicz. Otherwise, he has Yoel Romero, Paolo Costa and Robert Whittaker on his list of victories. Usman has run through every Welterweight contender and is currently looking at facing the lot of them again. Ngannou, the newest African champion, has yet to defend his belt, but on the way up he took out Curtis Blaydes, Alistair Overeem, Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Junior Dos Santos. If that resume isn’t enough, he’s also the world’s hardest puncher.
It makes perfect sense for Dana White to want to capitalise on the success of African fighters in his promotion. Nigeria would be an obvious choice, as the home of Adesanya and Usman. With a large population and relative wealth, Nigeria could provide the backdrop for MMA’s very own Rumble in the Jungle. The original Rumble in the Jungle took place in Zaire, and reached over one billion viewers worldwide. Dana White no doubt wants a slice of that particular pie – or Bobotie.
Can the UFC repeat the feat? Would an African UFC event provide the kind of record-breaking numbers Dana White is looking for, or is it all hype? Let us know in the comments.
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