UFC targets Kazakhstan for potential June 13 card

The UFC has expanded to nearly every corner of the globe during its aggressive growth spurt over the past decade-plus.

And now the world’s leading mixed martial arts promotion appears poised to add a significant Central Asian republic to their list of countries visited.

The company is targeting Kazakhstan, which borders both Russia and China, for a June 13 event, likely to be a UFC on ESPN+ level card. MMA Junkie confirmed an initial report by MMA Fighting on Tuesday.

While the event does not have an official location, the 30,000-seat Astana Arena in the capital city of Nur-Sultan is a logical candidate.

The first Kazak fighter in UFC history, Shavkat Rakhmonov, makes his UFC debut in London on March 21. The undefeated Rakhamonov will face Bartosz Fabinski in a welterweight matchup.