UFC announce events in Holland and Croatia

UFC Europe revealed the news via Twitter with locations, dates and how to register. Each nation already boasts significant ties to combat sport with the world renowned Dutch kickboxing scene that has provided many of the world’s great K-1 competitors. In addition, Croatia has a strong kickboxing following of its own with the Zagreb Arena having hosted a number of major events in recent years. Furthermore, both Holland and Croatia have been represented by notable UFC standouts, including Croatia’s recently retired MMA icon Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipović, plus no.2 ranked Croatian-American heavyweight Stipe Miocic. From Holland, current UFC contenders include the likes of Alistair Overeem, Stefan Struve and Gegard Mousasi. Former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten, now retired, also hailed from The Netherlands. The IMMAF are currently in the process of re-establishing the Dutch MMA Federation following the untimely passing of Chairman Jan Kraayvanger, Member Relations Manager Roberto Reid recently visited the Dutch capital of Amsterdam to meet with prominent figures of Dutch MMA. Via UFC.com, top heavyweight contender Stipe Miocic commented, “It would be a dream if I was able to fight in Croatia, I travelled there for the first time in 2015 to train with Mirko Cro Cop and it was a great experience just to see the country and spend some time there with my family. I don’t know what the UFC has in store for me now but I’ll definitely be back in Croatia one way or another.” Fellow Dutch heavyweight Stefan Struve is also looking to be a part of history at Ahoy Rotterdam in May, “I got goosebumps when I was told the UFC is finally coming our way, I’m thrilled it’s finally going to happen. No matter what I want to fight on this card, at this point in my career this is what I need to fight in front of my friends and family and deliver a show like I can.” “It is truly a testimony to the growth of the UFC brand to be breaking into two new markets in Europe in the first half of 2016,” commented James Elliott, UFC EMEA General Manager and Vice President, “The fans have been demanding local live events and we will not disappoint with two compelling shows.”  Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT ZAGREB will go on general sale on Friday, February 12th and for UFC FIGHT NIGHT ROTTERDAM on Thursday, March 24th. Both events will be broadcasted live on FS1 in the United States and on {BT Sport in the UK/ Extreme in Poland/ Fox Netherlands in Holland and Fight Channel in Croatia}.        ]]>