UFC's pending television deal in Russia could reach 55 million new homes

With television deals in Mexico, Brazil, Japan, and other countries around the globe, fight fans are privy to the excitement that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events bring, on what seems to be a weekly basis.

But the world's preeminent mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion isn't planning to slow down any time soon -- no, seriously --  as it looks to continue its global assault by bringing its product to Russia in the near future with a pending television deal.

Appearing on The MMA Hour (via MMA Fighting), UFC chief global brand officer, Garry Cook, detailed the organization's plans to stake its flag in Russia.

And beyond.

"We're just about to announce a television deal in Russia. 55 million households. We've never done an event in Russia. The growth is all of that, a global business is how you make sure you create relevant content in the U.S., relevant content for all the other markets, creating more content, creating local heroes, national fame. The story is two people in combat. There's gonna be a winner, there's gonna be a loser. There's no more drama than that. And that sells, wherever you are in the world."

Of course, once the TV deal is finalized, the promotion plans to stage an event in Russia. But it doesn't end there, as Cook says UFC intends to invade Poland and Glasgow, as well.

"We're gonna be on television in Russia. Eventually, there will be a show in Russia, but we don't know if that will be next year. Poland, we've got some plans there. They have been calling us for having an event in Poland. Scotland, you can't help but think of Joanne Calderwood, who's becoming a starlet there. We'd like to think about doing something at Glasgow. We have some plans."

UFC recently made a successful debut south of the border in its first-ever foray into Mexico with UFC 180, which went down on Nov. 15, 2014 in Mexico City (results).

This, despite the fact that the pay-per-view (PPV) event lost a number of high-profile fighters, including heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, due to injury.

And with plans to expand its global reach, maybe, just maybe, UFC going into other countries and securing new television deals will help stop the financial bleeding.