Dana White vows to change Australia’s mind on UFC as he confirms Road Show is coming Down Under

EXCLUSIVE: UFC president Dana White has vowed to win over the Australian politicians and police commissioners who continue to oppose the sport.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White.

UFC president Dana White has vowed to win over the Australian politicians and police commissioners who continue to oppose his company, stressing: “We will get in everywhere down there”

Speaking with The Daily Telegraph after a huge press conference in Las Vegas, White confirmed his UFC roadshow will be coming to Australia “once or twice” in 2015 — with both the number and size of events dependant on the current Octagon ban in Victoria.

While refusing to be drawn on wether his company was using a huge Pay-Per-View to win over Melbourne, White said a blockbuster card would happen at Etihad Stadium should the ban be overturned.

Mark Hunt battles against Brazil's Fabricio Werdum during a UFC 180 interim Heavyweight title fight in Mexico City

“And eventually, we will get in everywhere down there,’’ he said.

The outspoken promoter also revealed that, had Sydney heavyweight Mark Hunt beat Fabricio Werdum in Mexico City, Australia would have hosted a world title bout between the 40-year-old and injured champion Cain Velasquez.

“That was gunna be my crazy news for you,” White continued. “If Mark had won, we would’ve done him and Cain for the heavyweight title in Australia.

“Becomes a bit of a downer now, I know.”

UFC coming to Aus in 2015

So as for what fight fans can expect?

While no dates or venues were announced for Australian bouts, White revealed the UFC would hold a maximum of two events Down Under in 2015 — with both the number and size to be decided by the election.

Currently, the UFC is banned in both Victoria and Western Australia — bizarrely, not due not to the sport, but the eight-sided ‘cage’ in which it is performed.

While Mixed Martial Arts is legal in both States, combatants can only perform inside a boxing ring. The UFC, however, stages bouts inside its famed Octagon.

However, Victoria’s Opposition Labour Governtment has promised to overturn the ban if voted into power.

Asked if a successful Labor Government meant a Pay-Per-View event at Etihad Stadium, White replied: “That’s what we’re pulling for, yeah.

“We know we have big fight fans down in Australia. And we always have good luck with our fights there, always have great cards, so it makes all the sense in the world.”

New Zealand's Mark Hunt, top, battles against Brazil's Fabricio Werdum from during a UFC 180 interim Heavyweight title fight in Mexico City

Lifting the ban?

Earlier this year, UFC Australia boss Tom Wright said there would be “two or three events” next year. Sydney and Melbourne are the most likely venues should the ban be lifted.

Recently, both NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione and his Victorian counterpart Ken Lay have slammed the UFC.

Scipione likened UFC fighters to “caged animals” while Lay said it would be disappointing if his State legalised “extreme violence”.

In the Melbourne article, however, it seemed Lay was rallying against the sport of MMA — which is already legal in his State.

Hunt’s ‘fun arsed fight’

Meanwhile, White also praised Hunt’s efforts against Werdum in Mexico City last Saturday, where the 40-year-old led into the second round before copping a huge jumping knee — with the Brazilian then finishing with a flurry of punches.

“That was a fun-arsed fight, a fight from the first punch,” White said. “And Mark was overpowering Werdum everywhere.

“Even when they clinched, he was throwing Werdum around like a rag doll. Was on the ground with him.

“Plus, Mark fought such a smart fight. He made sure he kept his head against the cage and didn’t let him pull off any submissions.

“He was fighting as good a fight as you can.”

White also said the UFC would “definitely” return to New Zealand following the success of the Fight Night event held in Auckland earlier this year, however could not give a date.

Originally published as Dana White vows to change Australia’s mind on UFC as he confirms Road Show is coming Down Under