NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns promises huge UFC boost for state, Volkanovski hails move

The NSW Opposition has promised to bring three blockbuster UFC pay-per-view events to the region if elected, in a move that featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski described as ‘incredible’.

Labor leader Chris Minns is committed to making New South Wales the home of UFC in Australia and New Zealand, which will generate tourism, jobs and boost Sydney’s status as a sporting capital.

The NSW Opposition has promised to bring three blockbuster UFC pay-per-view events to the region if elected, in a move that featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski (pictured) described as ‘incredible’

Labor leader Chris Minns (pictured with Alex Volkanovski) is committed to making New South Wales the home of UFC in Australia and New Zealand, which will generate tourism, jobs and boost Sydney’s status as a sporting capita

MMA has boomed in popularity in Australia over the last two decades, but Sydney hasn’t hosted a pay-per-view UFC event since 2011.

‘We all know how passionate NSW is about sport. And I want to make sure we attract more major events right here in New South Wales,’ said Mr Minns.

‘It brings entertainment, jobs, tourism dollars, enhances Sydney’s sporting reputation, and showcases our state to the world.’

‘I want to see Illawarra local Alexander Volkanovski defend his world title on home turf in Sydney. If Labor gets elected, he’ll have that chance.’

Pound-for-pound king Alex Volkanovski, who will be fighting on February 12 against Islam Makhachev in Perth, is thrilled about the idea of more events in his home state.

‘That’d be incredible,’ he said. ‘To defend a belt right here in Sydney would be incredible. To defend it three times would be even better.’

The broadcast to the sold-out Perth show is big business and will reach 900 million TV households, across 170 countries and in 50 different languages.

The amount of Australian and Kiwi fighters in the top ranks of MMA has also boomed in recent years, with stars like Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, Tai Tuivasa (pictured) and Alex Volkanovski becoming household names

In 2019, more than 57,000 fight fans flocked into Marvel Stadium in Melbourne making it the biggest UFC event of all time. 

It also generated $121million in economic activity, $57m in wages paying for 922 full-time equivalent jobs and more than 26,000 room night bookings.

The amount of Australian and Kiwi fighters in the top ranks of MMA has also boomed in recent years, with stars like Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, Tai Tuivasa and Alex Volkanovski becoming household names.

Sydney star Robert Whittaker pictured after recent bout with Marvin Vettori

Proud Western Sydney slugger Tai Tuivasa has been long calling for the promotion to once again visit Australia – and preferably Western Sydney.

‘Even if it’s not for my fight, we’ve got Alex Volkanovski and he’s one of the best to ever do it, so we’ve got some big names and I’m sure Australia would love the UFC back home,’ Tuivasa told Daily Mail Australia in 2022.