UFC wants Werdum (left) or Hunt (right) to face Velasquez (center) in Mexico. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS Production (Josh Hedges/UFC)
Before scheduling the Octagon's first visit to Mexico, UFC president Dana White had already said several times that he would only go to the country with the presence of Cain Velazquez. And it was with the dispute between the North American of Mexican descent and the Brazilian Fabricio Werdum that the organization has scheduled UFC 180, which takes place this Saturday (15). However, an injury to Velasquez meant that he was replaced by Mark Hunt and the main fight of the event became a fight for the interim heavyweight belt. Despite the setbacks, the organization continues with the intention of bringing the champion to Mexico, to unify the titles against the winner of Hunt x Werdum.
“We are planning two events here in Mexico for 2015. We don't have the dates yet, but we are excited to return to the country. We obviously hope to return with the Cain Velazquez facing the winner of the interim belt”, assured Jaime Pollack, UFC vice-president of international development and general manager for Latin America, in an interview reproduced on the “Combate” channel website. For this to happen, however, Velasquez must be physically recovered and ready to fight before March, the deadline set by the organization for him to defend his belt before being deposed as champion.
Furthermore, Pollack also guaranteed that the organization's expansion across Latin America should not stop at Mexico and Brazil, the only countries to host events in recent years. “We are also looking to expand our business to all Latin American countries. We have a large legion of fans in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua, etc., and we know that this will not stop. For us, the fan base in each of the Latin countries is fundamentally important for the even greater growth of our brand”, concluded the director.
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