UFC releases ticket prices for Manila event

MANILA, Philippines – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) released the ticket prices for its first live event in the country happening May 16 at the 20,000-seater SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Tickets to UFC’s maiden trip to the fight capital of the Southeast Asian region will be available at all outlets of SM Tickets on Friday, March 13.

The announcement was made during a press conference that was attended by UFC superstars Urijah Faber and Frankie Edgar on Tuesday, March 10 at Solaire Resort & Casino’s Grand Ballroom in Parañaque City.

The UFC has long held interest in the Philippines, with plans for a “The Ultimate Fighter” reality television series based in the archipelago being talked about as early as 2011.

Listed as one of its target markets for an overseas show on numerous occasions, the country has seen visit by several UFC top studs in recent years, such as Chuck Liddell, Georges St-Pierre, BJ Penn, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Alexander Gustafsson, Cung Le, Urijah Faber and Carlos Condit.

Faber spearheaded a string of seminars, community outreaches, and mall tours during the summer period of last year, while Condit had a meet-and-greet session and open workout at the Trinoma Activity Center in Quezon City this past November.

“I had a great time in Manila last time. I am ecstatic to be part of this fight card and fight in front of the Filipino fans,” Faber said.

Meanwhile, Edgar is spending his first stopover in the Philippines and admitted that he is looking forward to strut his wares in front of the local crowd.

“The weather here is very different from where I came from, but the warm welcome is incredible. Definitely, it is something to look forward on May 16,” he stated.

Faber and Edgar will be facing each other in a featherweight super-fight at UFC Fight Night 66 as its headliner.

Five Filipino fighters have been booked by the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion to compete on the same fight card.

Mark Eddiva battles Alex White in a featherweight match-up, while his teammate Roldan Sangcha-an aims to claim his first Octagon triumph by squaring off with Guamanian flyweight Jon delos Reyes.

Meanwhile, Fil-Am standouts Phillipe Nover and Nolan Ticman are also slated to have their respective homecoming bouts.

On the other hand, it was publicly revealed during the press conference that Mark Muñoz will be having his request to be part of UFC Fight Night 66 granted as he is scheduled to square off with Luke Barnatt. – Rappler.com