There are huge changes within the top management in the UFC. Garry Cook, who has been running the promotion's UK office, will now move to Las Vegas and will be the UFC's Chief Global Officer. As first reported by MMA Fighting, the former former Manchester City football CEO will now be in charge of every show outside the US, making him one of the more important figures in the promotion.
Also part of the shuffle, Mark Fischer has been let go as the EVP and Managing Director of UFC Asia, ending months of speculation and rumors about a change within the region. Asian offices had moved from Beijing to Singapore early this year, with numerous changes within the local staff also happening recently.
During Fischer's 4 years as the head of Asia's division, the UFC has hosted shows in Singapore, Macau, and Japan, while also producing the inaugural edition of The Ultimate Fighter: China.
While they have made huge inroads into marketing and spreading awareness, the promotion has been unable to break in and hold that much coveted show in Mainland China. An event planned for the Philippines earlier in 2014 had also been cancelled, with officials citing the loss of key sponsors as the reason.
As for upcoming plans for the region, UFC: Macau happens next weekend, a Japan show is on for the following month, and another reality show on Fight Pass will come from their recent partnership with Vale Tudo Japan.
Cook will now take over the reigns as he expands his reach from the EMEA region to handling all international UFC affairs. He'll also pick up the task of trying to break in that very challenging market in China, while also overseeing progress in other regions. It certainly won't be easy, but as Dana White says, Cook is 'a f***ing stud'.