Dana White ‘s confirmation that UFC Fight Night 257 in Shanghai would air during Chinese prime time rather than U.S. prime time really shook the MMA community. On the surface, it appeared to be a small scheduling change, but it actually conveyed a big message: the UFC is willing to tilt its priorities toward China, even if it causes inconvenience for its American fans.

For years, the U.S. audience has been the unquestioned focus of UFC programming. Even overseas cards were frequently shuffled to accommodate the American pay-per-view market. But Shanghai marks a break from the tradition, suggesting that the promotion no longer regards China as merely another foreign destination. Instead, the country is becoming a central pillar of the Dana White-led promotion’s future. But why? Well, her

See Full Page