UFC championship fight comes to Perth Arena

The McGowan Labor Government has secured an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event for Perth, expected to attract thousands of fans to Western Australia and inject more than $7 million into the economy.
  • Up to 8,000 interstate and overseas visitors expected
  • Worth $7.25 million to the WA economy, helping boost local jobs
  • Made possible by the McGowan Government's election promise to make MMA safer
  • Event supported by the State Government through Tourism WA

The McGowan Labor Government has secured an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event for Perth, expected to attract thousands of fans to Western Australia and inject more than $7 million into the economy.

The deal was made possible after the McGowan Government, in June, lifted a ban on combat sports such as mixed martial arts (MMA) being held in purpose-built, fenced-in enclosures such as the UFC's Octagon.

The Pay-Per-View event - the top tier of UFC events - will take place on February 11, 2018 at Perth Arena, with a fight card featuring the best local and international mixed martial artists.

The event will be watched by a global Pay-Per-View audience of more than 15 million, with the broadcast available in all of Tourism WA's markets.

Tourism WA will work with UFC to ensure Perth and WA are featured throughout the broadcast.

The bout is an exclusive for Perth.  Named UFC 221, this title fight will be the 221st UFC Pay- Per-View event ever staged and only the fourth to be held in Australia.  Of the 13 top UFC events held each year, only two are typically staged outside of North America.

Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:

"More than 15,000 fans will pack Perth Arena for this long anticipated event, with 8,000 of them expected to come from interstate and overseas. 

"The McGowan Government worked swiftly to lift the ban on MMA enclosures, having listened to experts who clearly outlined why it's safer than fighting in an open boxing ring.

"Not only will this event be great for tourism and local jobs, UFC 221 will be embraced by WA's own 40,000 registered fans - the third biggest UFC supporter base in Australia.

"The 56 million UFC social media fans will also see our State showcased in the lead up to the fight - giving Perth and WA unprecedented exposure

"Quality events are vital to tourism in WA, an industry that employs more than 109,000 Western Australians."

Minister's office - 6552 5600