UFC
UFC planning on up to five events in Canada for 2013 schedule
Oct 22, 2012 - 8:00:29 PM UFC planning on up to five events in Canada for 2013 schedule

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Over the past several years, the UFC has continually increased their presence in Canada. Moving from one event in Montreal to running three Canadian cities in 2012, they've made it a stated goal to continue carving out a place in the country.

They're looking to continue that expansion in 2013 and beyond, already promising annual events in Toronto and Montreal. But they've got more than that in mind, as Tom Wright, the UFC's director of operations in Canada, discussed in a recent interview with Joe Ferraro UFC Central Radio on Sportsnet 590 in Toronto.

"We're not that far away from announcing our full 2013 schedule,” Wright said (transcribed by MMAWeekly.com). "I can tell you that there's going to be at least four events in Canada."

"There's going to be at least two cities that may surprise a few people when we come out with our schedule and right now we're looking at an additional three. So a total of five events in Canada for 2014."

Penick's Analysis: Obviously Toronto and Montreal are likely set for next year, given the success they've had in each city, and I'm sure they're looking at bringing a couple of FX events there as well, so they'll move to some less-populated areas of the country for those cards, potentially Edmonton (where the WEC ran an event in 2010), and a return to Calgary is probably coming as well. Canadian fans have been big supporters of the UFC, and they'll get more cards as a result as the UFC continues expanding their global reach. In addition to the events, Wright echoed UFC President Dana White, who has said Canada could be getting its own edition of The Ultimate Fighter as well.