Historic UFC Event in Mexico; UFC 180, what a Whole Country had been waiting for

By Francisco Romero

It is no secret that Mexico has produced top of the line fighters over the years – boxers that is – such as Julio Cesar Chavez, Saul “El Canelo” Alvarez, Erik Morales and we can go on and on. 

Now Mexico has embraced a new type of fighter and UFC 180 is there to prove it. 

In a country where the sports headlines on television, radio and newspapers are taken over by soccer, now a day it has become the norm to watch, hear and read about MMA fighters such as Cain Velasquez, Fabricio Werdum and Kelvin Gastelum amongst others.

Proof of Mexican’s fans hunger to watch live MMA fighting was how fast 21,000 tickets were sold.  It only took eight hours to sell out Mexico City’s Arena Ciudad de Mexico.

On Saturday November 15, Mexican fans will be ready for UFC 180.

“We are very pleased that in the blink of an eye we sold out tickets. It is proof that Mexico City is ready for its first UFC event and shows the true devotion of the fans in Mexico,” said Jaime Pollack, UFC Senior Vice President of International Development and General Manager, Latin America.

An event such as UFC 180 could not be without drama, as it is without a doubt one of the premier events this year in Mexico City. 

Originally Cain Velasquez was scheduled to fight Brazilian Fabricio Werdum, an injury took Velasquez out of the card.  Werdum will now face Mark Hunt in the heavyweight division.

Aware of Mexican fan’s love for Velasquez, Werdum will honor Cain and Mexico in a very unique way, “Mark Hunt is a very tough opponent.  He hits very hard.  He is a smart fighter.  And he has a lot of experience.  I’m very happy for this fight,” said Werdum during media day and added, “ I was supposed to fight Cain Velasquez and all the fans were supporting him.  That’s normal.  Now they are supporting me, so I chose a walk out song for Mexico.  I will walk out to Cielito Lindo.”

One of the main attractions will be Augusto Montano, who was born in Mexico City.  He will face Chris Heatherly.  Born in Mexico’s capital, Montano is fighting out of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“I feel great,” Montano told UFC.com. “I know that I have a commitment to the Mexican fans, and this is a special moment for me, for Mexican MMA, and for the fans, especially the young ones.  (On Saturday) You can expect a worthy representative of the sport and I will put all my desire, experience and heart inside the Octagon.”

UFC 180 Main Card

265 lbs.: Fabricio Werdum vs. Mark Hunt for interim Heavyweight

170 lbs.: Jake Ellenberger vs. Kelvin Gastelum


145 lbs.: Dennis Bermudez vs. Ricardo Lamas


170 lbs.: Augusto Montano vs. Chris Heatherly


170 lbs.: Edgar Garcia vs. Hector Urbina