UFC Performance Institute Shanghai to open in 2019, will foster development of Asian MMA talent

Ive had friends visit China recently, they say all the kids there are much taller and bigger than previous generations. China is much wealthier than even just 20 yrs ago, they probably have lots of access to food unlike poor generations.

Friends tell me all the young guys in the big city are 5 ft 10 or taller (yes, i know 5 ft 10 isnt tall, but its a dramatic gain than previous generations). Was told 6 ft isnt uncommon anymore, at least amongst young males in the big city. Im guessing rural countryside is poor so not seeing as dramatic gains

This and a lot of Westerners though they mean well often unconsciously pull up stereotypes to kind of ease back on this sometimes.

Chinese are getting a lot taller, especially urban dwellers, which has been the case for people all over the world. 5'10" is a decent height. People are always upping the standard to say "nuh uh!" ....the growth in the past few decades has been impressive.

Unfortunately I am from a poor region of South Asia with poor nutrition and our height has been the same more or less since Medieval times.
 
UFC announces it's building a Performance Institute in Shanghai
MMAjunkie
Published on Nov 19, 2018
"UFC execs outline the promotion's plans in China."


It'll be 3X the size of the one in Las Vegas.
 
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Why? They're closing the FLW division...
A big asian push without a 125 division?
There's a misconception about Asian MMA. 115/125 are popular divisions in Indonesia, Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam etc and Japan. In China there's more talent at 135 and 145. I follow their regional scene (Kunlun Fight, WLF, Rebel FC, GoH) close enough to guarantee you that.
Chinese MMA market presents interesting questions, like is there one?
It's a very promising market, i'd say it's where MMA is growing the fastest. China has many of the most talented kickboxers in the world in some weight classes, and even these guys have tried MMA recently. It's still a minor sport, but things are changing.
The UFC has like 10 Chinese fighters on the roster right now, none of whom fight at 125.

Then again, the best Chinese fighter not in the UFC right now is Chinese -- Meixuan Zhang.
Meixuan Zhang isn't any better than The Leech. He's good though.
 
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There's a misconception about Asian MMA. 115/125 are popular divisions in Indonesia, Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam etc and Japan. In China there's more talent at 135 and 145. I follow close enough their regional scene (Kunlun Fight, WLF, Rebel FC, GoH) close enough to guarantee you that.
It's a very promising market, i'd say it's where MMA is growing the fastest. Chinese has many of the most talented guys in the world in some weight classes, and even these guys have tried MMA recently. It's still a minor sport, but things are changing.
Meixuan Zhang isn't any better than The Leech. He's good though.


Great addition to the thread & good info
 
So expect Asian fighters to start getting busted for "tainted supplements"?
 
There's a misconception about Asian MMA. 115/125 are popular divisions in Indonesia, Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam etc and Japan. In China there's more talent at 135 and 145. I follow close enough their regional scene (Kunlun Fight, WLF, Rebel FC, GoH) close enough to guarantee you that.
It's a very promising market, i'd say it's where MMA is growing the fastest. Chinese has many of the most talented guys in the world in some weight classes, and even these guys have tried MMA recently. It's still a minor sport, but things are changing.
Meixuan Zhang isn't any better than The Leech. He's good though.
Thanks. Access is the question I'm curious about. And that may be answered soon.
 
Fighters are severely underpaid so the UFC can build a PI in China.

Great.
 
Chinese MMA market presents interesting questions, like is there one?

Great, now Asians get a chance to train UFC..

china conned WME.

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I’ve been living in Shanghai the past 13 years, I’ll make sure to be at the opening next year and get some pics for sherdog. Hope Karate hottie will be there
 
13 million budget on 93,000 sq ft building.

Boy thats cheap.
 
Pretty cool, I can't wait to see what develops out there. Wonder if they will be partnering or competing with ONE Championship? In Singapore One has 5 gyms under it's wing. Evolve, JFC, Impact, Fight G Academy, and Team Highlight Reel. Will those dudes train at this new Gym, so many questions.
 
Pretty cool, I can't wait to see what develops out there. Wonder if they will be partnering or competing with ONE Championship? In Singapore One has 5 gyms under it's wing. Evolve, JFC, Impact, Fight G Academy, and Team Highlight Reel. Will those dudes train at this new Gym, so many questions.
I doubt it. UFC seems to be interested in China, not that much in Singapore, Indonesia and Southeast Asian countries - where ONE is really strong. I don't see much upside for UFC, only for ONE.
 
A nightclub?
lol
The paying customers of performance center 'gym' aren't going to be hardcore fighters. They're going to be white collar planet-fitness type folk who want to pretend that they are training ufc.
 
UFC announces it's building a Performance Institute in Shanghai
MMAjunkie
Published on Nov 19, 2018
"UFC execs outline the promotion's plans in China."


It'll be 3X the size of the one in Las Vegas.


So the Las Vegas PI should change its name to the Conor McGregor Institute, and the Chinese PI can change its name to the Nate Diaz institute.
 
The University of Sport, School of Martial Arts is in Shanghai, Joanna visited during UFC Shanghai last year. State of the art facilities but mainly concentrating on traditional arts, especially wushu. This would be a good fit.
 
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I think next month we will hear about some Chinese midget punching like 3 ford escorts!
And will the Chinese start to miss weight like the fighters do that train in the US performance institute?
 
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