First Ever UFC Card in Russia Confirmed for Sept. 15 in Moscow

The UFC is finally going to Russia.

After years of plotting a move into Russia, the UFC has officially announced a card set to take place at the Olimpiyskiy Arena in Moscow on Sept. 15.

UFC officials announced the news on Wednesday. 

The card will be a UFC Fight Night event rather than a pay-per-view as the promotion explores expansion into Russia for the first time. 

“Russia is a key part of UFC’s international expansion strategy,” UFC senior vice president of international and content David Shaw said in a statement. “The demand from our fans to bring a live event to Russia has been overwhelming, and with the vast potential this market holds for us, we knew this was the perfect time to bring UFC Fight Night to Moscow.”

In addition to the first event in the country, the UFC has also appointed Andre Gromkovski as the new vice president for UFC Russia.

While no fights have been announced yet, there’s no shortage of Russian fighters who will undoubtedly be clamoring to get a spot on this historic first event. 

Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is not expected to appear on the card, however, with the show taking place as a UFC Fight Night event rather than a pay-per-view. 

Expect more announcements about the first ever UFC card in Russia in the coming weeks with tickets going on sale on June 1.