(This story appeared in today’s edition of USA TODAY .) Canada, Brazil, Britain and Australia have all been recent targets of the UFC’s ambitious expansion plans. However, after years of the world’s most prominent MMA promotion teasing the possibility, Mexico could finally be next. To date the UFC has never ventured south of the border despite Mexico’s quickly growing circuit of regional fight promotions. But the pieces are falling into place, including a new TV deal and a planned Spanish-language version of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series. UFC executive Marshall Zelaznik, who serves as a managing director of international development, had hoped an event could take place in Mexico this year, but said that’s probably a bit too ambitious. “I think it’ll probably slide to next year, in Mexico City,” he told USA TODAY Sports and MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “If we can get ‘The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America’ and get the live event in Mexico City, that will really token charge our business there.” In addition to 17 American seasons of its competition/reality series, the UFC has hosted three international installments of “TUF.” The second wrapped Saturday in Brazil, and an Australia vs.
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USA TODAY: UFC targets Mexico expansion in 2014 – MMA Junkie