The UFC will return to mainland China in August when it heads to Shenzhen for the first time.
The UFC continues to make China a key destination, as it faces increased competition in Asia from ONE Championship and other promotions. On Monday, the promotion announced a show in Shenzhen, China, taking place August 31. No bouts were announced for the card, which will air on ESPN+. Given the date, the event will be UFC on ESPN+ 15, for those counting.
👊Shenzhen bound 🇨🇳#UFCShenzhen pic.twitter.com/cG56oaIt60
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) May 20, 2019
The news comes on the same day that ONE Championship announced their own return to China, in Shanghai. That card will feature the ONE debut of another former UFC star, Yoshihiro Akiyama.
The UFC first hit mainland China in 2017 with a show in Shanghai. They returned in 2018, going to Beijing. The Shenzhen card will be just their third trip to the mainland in three years. The promotion, however, has made a large investment in the territory, as UFC Senior Vice President, International and Content David Shaw noted back at UFC Ottawa that construction of a UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai was nearing completion. The Shanghai Performance Institute is expected to open in June.
UFC Shenzhen will be held at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre in Shenzhen, China on August 31.
