Copenhagen Looks Primed for a UFC Return in 2023
While the UFC hosts the majority of its events at its home in Las Vegas, Nevada, the massive MMA promotion also makes a point of touring the world, bringing the top tier of the sport to fans everywhere. In 2023, the UFC is already scheduled to visit Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, and Perth, with locations beyond February 12 still up in the air.
The UFC does enjoy a visit to Brazil, Canada, the UK, and especially the UAE of late, but it looks like the schedulers are making a point of revisiting past nations and new places within those countries. This can be seen in the first dates for a Perth event (UFC 284, February 12) and a return to the Korean Republic, but this time to the capital (UFC Fight Night 218, February 4).
With a couple of popular fighters in the UFC, and a top talent over in Bellator who may be persuaded over, Denmark looks to be a great option for a 2023 UFC event. Copenhagen played host to UFC Fight Night 160 in September 2019, and it proved an explosive night – especially with Mark Madsen winning by TKO in the first round.
Copenhagen’s a great choice for the UFC
Copenhagen is a natural choice, especially as the 13,000-seater Royal Arena offered a great atmosphere last time around. There are also some other distinctly home comforts for the UFC in coming to the Danish capital again.
Much like Las Vegas, Copenhagen welcomes gambling nightlife. Many other cities in Denmark also boast casino venues, but the capital has over 20, with Casino Copenhagen being the centerpiece. The country has become so open to the entertainment industry that many of the biggest online brands are now available in Denmark, too.
Better still, they all carry the most popular games from English-speaking sites. Topp Casino Bonus showcases that new customers can get 200 free spins to play on the likes of Book of Dead, Starburst, Fire Joker, Gonzo’s Quest, Reactoonz, and Vikings Go Berzerk – all of which are hugely popular in the UK and US.
Danes on the roster and a rising star to watch
While he is over in Bellator right now, there isn’t any denying the fandom of Søren Bak. Fighting at lightweight, there was a time when the Ultimate Fighting Championship wanted the Dane on their books, but he chose Bellator in 2019 rather than the Vegas-based powerhouse of MMA.
Right now, Bak is 16-1-0, with his last triumph coming in the summer against Charlie Leary at Bellator 280. He’s not yet in the lightweight top ten of the Bellator Fighter Rankings, but he is making enough noise to get noticed. At 30 years old and 3-0 with the promotion, Bak will be hoping for a shot at one of the top ten sooner rather than later.
In the UFC, all eyes are on Nicolas Dalby and his upcoming bout with the returning Warlley Alves at UFC 283. The Dane recently bounced back from a UD loss to Tim Means by getting the judges’ approval against Claudio Silva. Now 20-4-1 in his career and 4-3-1 in the UFC, a win here will get Dalby climbing towards a potential top-ranked fight.
Fellow 38-year-old and former Olympian Mark Madsen was flying high in the UFC until his intended opponent, Drakkar Klose, had to pull out of the fight 11 days in advance. It brought in the slightly favored Grant Dawson, who won via rear naked chokehold in the third, putting the first blemish on the Dane’s now 12-1-0 record. Dawson’s entry did put up the weight bracket, missing what Madsen had trained for by three pounds.
Both Dalby and Madsen would command a grand following and raucous atmosphere at a Copenhagen UFC event – especially if the UFC can entice Bak to the company and pit him against Madsen at lightweight.
