Why the UFC has still not hit South Africa

Former UFC middleweight champion and pioneer of South African MMA, Dricus du Plessis remains one of the biggest draws on the global stage, but despite this fact, ‘Stillknocks’ is still yet to throw down on home soil in a UFC event.

In an exclusive conversation with SABC Sport, the vice president of talent for the locally based EFC, Graeme Cartmell has shed some light on the matter.

“We’ve been very much involved in trying to bring the UFC here, and the UFC want to work with the EFC in that regard, according to all the communication we’ve had with them. It will supercharge the industry like no one’s business.

“The first challenge, which is the most glaringly obvious, is just location. South Africa doesn’t actually have a covered stadium that can hold a capacity that the UFC would require.

“They are looking for at least 14 000 seats and up, and that’s very small, I think there will be a need for far more than that. Location is the number one stumbling block.” said Cartmell.

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Cartmell also dives into the fact that although Dricus du Plessis no longer holds the middleweight crown, he is still South Africa’s champion.

“Yes, Dricus is no longer their champion, but he is our champion, and I don’t think anybody can argue against the fact that he has done more for the sport in this country than anyone else has for the last 20 years.

“He has kicked the door open, and he has brought the conversation of us hosting a UFC event to the forefront. The whole of Africa should be thanking him because he has made us an option,” explained the EFC executive.

“The UFC would just need to have a location, and everything else will be done. They’ve got a talent pool in Africa that the EFC has built up, they’ve got our champion who can headline the card, and they’ve got all of the commercial opportunities Africa will throw at them to make it happen. The only stumbling block is location.”

Some time ago, when du Plessis submitted Israel Adesanya to retain his title, UFC president Dana White addressed the issue and echoed the explanation Graeme Cartmell gave to SABC Sport.

“You know how bad I want this, I’ve been wanting to go to Africa but the arena situation over there is tough. The place that we would have to do it at is outdoors, and you know what I feel about that.

“One of the things I’ve been hearing from there is that wind is a real problem. Anything that can affect the outcome of the fight, makes me not want to even try, it’s anything from the wind, rain, or too much humidity.”

It remains to be seen whether a plan can be concocted to bring one of the greatest live shows on earth to South Africa, but in the meantime, South African MMA fans can enjoy EFC action while supporting the likes of Dricus du Plessis from afar.