UFC unveils new Performance Institute in Shanghai, China

The UFC has officially unveiled a new state-of-the-art training facility in Shanghai, China. On Thursday, the Las Vegas based promotion revealed their 93,000 square foot Performance Institute. The facility is expected to be a prime training destination for fighters in China as the UFC grows its presence in Asia.

The building is furnished floor-to-ceiling with new training equipment and an abundance of cages to choose from. There are designated training areas to fulfil all fitness needs including weight training, cardio and swimming. The building features innovative recovery solutions such as Cryotherapy and designated sports science rooms. There are also physiotherapy rooms with trained staff on hand to assist. The vast facility is a point of pride for the promotion that has grown exponentially since its 1993 inception.

The whole construction is reported to have cost approximately $13 million. UFC President Dana White is hoping this will help the sport develop in China and unearth top Chinese talent for the UFC.

“As a promoter that is one of the things you dream about, and this is the place the can make the difference. If someone becomes a champion the entire group of people will follow,” White said.

“We’re waiting for that from this country and I don’t think anyone here can wrap their heads around how big that would be.”

The facility was inaugurated with a two-day UFC Academy Combine event earlier this week where 50 athletes attended. The event evaluated their potential for a UFC scholarship or future career in MMA.

A potential Chinese champion who has already started using the facility is UFC strawweight fighter Weili “Magnum” Zhang (19-1), as she prepares for her upcoming bout against current champion, Jessica Andrade (20-6) in Shenzhen, China.

The UFC is already home to 10 Chinese fighters, several of whom were in attendance for this facility’s grand unveiling.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 6/21/2019.