China will be opening up their market for international and commercial sporting events. This move would finally allow the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to tap into the Chinese market.

Sporting events that want to go to China previously needed the approval of China's General Administration of Sport along with other local bureaus. These "sports watchdogs" in turn charge fees based on the importance of the event and its ability to draw in advertisers.             

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Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in China has been dominated by the Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation (RUFF) for some time. They had been able to pay the corresponding fees and gained the government's support, stopping other MMA organizations from tapping into the Chinese market.

The UFC has always been interested in expanding. They have done shows in every part of the globe including most of Asia, Europe, and America.

Their reality show, The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), has also been elevated into an international stage, having shows set in Brazil, Australia, and Latin America.

While the UFC has hosted three cards in Macau along with one season of TUF, they are looking to place one event in Mainland China.

Now, with the Chinese government interested in opening up the multi-million dollar market organizing commercial and mass sporting events, UFC can spread MMA even farther than it already has.

The decision was made at the State Council's executive meeting last week. According to a statement released, their aim was to "unburden enterprises to the utmost and give vitality to all kinds of sporting resources."

In addition, the meeting also called for the opening of broadcasting these sports events to more media companies, as opposed to the original state-run networks running most events.

TagsUFC, Policy, Sports Market