Originally Posted by MMAJunkie

UFC Headed to Philippines in Mid-2009

The UFC is planning to host its first-ever event in the Philippines in the summer of 2009, and the show will likely use a combination of established UFC stars and fighters from the local MMA scene.

The news comes from UFC.com's Thomas Gerbasi, who reported that Chuck Liddell's recent open workout in the Mall of Asia in Pasay City drew more than 4,000 fans.

Since taking over the UFC's CEO role, owner Lorenzo Fertitta has focused intently on the international expansion of the company. With what's proven to be a successful relationship with ABS-CBN (the largest TV network and integrated media/entertainment company in the Philippines), the UFC's brand has flourished in the country.

The Philippines will now be rewarded with a major event.

"It will be a combination of bringing over some of our stars and then hopefully having some local Filipino fighters, and maybe bringing in some of the guys from Japan and South Korea," Fertitta was quoted as saying.

When the UFC does head to the country, which boasts a population of 91 million, don't be surprised to see UFC light heavyweight Brandon Vera on the card.

Last month Vera told MMAjunkie.com that he also experienced a warm welcome during a visit to the country. And, of course, he would love to fight there.

"When we did an open workout there, about 4,000 people showed up to watch me train at a mall," said Vera, who has several family members living in the Philippines. "You can take it from there. I speak the language. I get along with everybody well. I understand the people in the Philippines and their struggles. I just keep it real with them, and they love the fact that I'm down. No matter how big or small I am in the fight, I'm going to be fighting, and they love it. I just feed off the energy, so it's kind of like a cyclical thing with them. As much as they give me, I give it back to them."

Vera's successful visit likely prompted Liddell's.

"The UFC was like, 'I can't believe there's this many people here,'" Vera said. "They said they arranged this in 10 days, and this is how many people showed up."