Cape Town vs City of Tshwane: which City will host first-ever UFC event in SA?

Africa Melane speaks to Lauren Rudolph, Spokesperson and Secretary for the Mixed Martial Arts Association of South Africa (MMASA).

UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis retained his title after a phenomenal finish to a tight-fought battle over former two-time champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 on Sunday, 18 August in Perth.

With Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and vice-captain Eben Etzebeth in attendance, after they were part of Du Plessis’s entourage walking into the octagon, Du Plessis did not disappoint with his winning performance. 

Du Plessis' win and his name in the spotlight have piqued the interest of many involved in the sport because of what it means to the nation, says Rudolph. 

"Dricus' wins has opened platforms phenomenally for South Africa. The nation is proud and it's a big win for MMA in South Africa. The sport is growing in South Africa and Dricus is opening the doors further for development of the sport in the country."

- Lauren Rudolph, Spokesperson and Secretary - MMASA

Now the Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis has to fulfill a promise he made before Du Plessis' highly anticipated match where he said: 'If Dricus du Plessis beats Israel Adesanya, we'll bid to host UFC in Cape Town,' in a post on X before the match. 

RELATED: 'If Dricus du Plessis beats Israel Adesanya, we'll bid to host UFC' – Cape Town Mayor

UFC President Dana White also said at a press conference if Du Plessis successfully defends his title at UFC 305, the organisation might consider hosting an event in South Africa. 

Now that Du Plessis has won... the question is: which city in South Africa will host the UFC?

Will it be Cape Town or Du Plessis' home town, The City of Tshwane? Rudolph says the latter would make sense (sorry, Cape Town).

"Dana White announced that he wants to bring the UFC to South Africa so that will be our next endeavor... as for where? My heart would say Cape Town but The City of Tshwane would make more sense... a lot of our fighters have a bigger fighting pool coming out of Johannesburg and Pretoria at the moment so that would make more sense.."

- Lauren Rudolph, Spokesperson and Secretary - MMASA

However, sponsorships and a venue are the 'biggest challenges' to bring UFC to South Africa, adds Rudolph.

"Our biggest challenges are sponsorships and venues... the biggest venues in South Africa are stadiums and it's not always up to standard to have UFC matches outdoors... so a venue is our greatest challenge but I can tell you... wherever we host, the whole of South Africa would be travelling to wherever we're hosting."

- Lauren Rudolph, Spokesperson and Secretary - MMASA

Rudolph notes that this would boost tourism, and support the development of young MMA fighters from diverse backgrounds hoping to make a name in UFC. This opportunity could help them advance toward a professional career in what is predominantly a self-funded sport.

"There's a wave of excellent and talented fighters in South Africa making it in MMA. The development is there, the pathway is there and we'll make sure it happens and that it's a successful event."

- Lauren Rudolph, Spokesperson and Secretary - MMASA

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.