Some interesting news surfaced during an interview regarding the new expansion efforts of the UFC this week. Specifically, the UFC has decided to move into Scotland as they continue to make a push toward Europe. There is only one problem with the expansion. It isn't exactly what many people expected. Rumors have circulated for the last year that the UFC was making steps to either make a splash in the Japanese market, or continue pushing south of England into France, Italy, and Germany. Instead, the UFC has decided to move north into Scotland. Is this bad news for the UFC's expansion efforts, or just another base for the UFC to hit it big?

Surprisingly, Scotland is not a bad choice for an area of the world that the UFC wants to profit from. Glasgow and Aberdeen seem to be two MMA havens in the country, and Scottish fighters primarily battle it out in local promotions or in U.K. promotions. It's only ideal that the UFC begin to pick up on another nationality of brawlers to excite casual fanbases. Overall, not a bad move for the UFC, and it will also have implications down the road if people in the business of television have their ears to the grindstone.

European expansion halts

One of the biggest reasons that the expansion talk has halted when it comes to moving south of England is advertising dollars and costs. The UFC has done fairly well in creating a face for the UFC in England with Michael Bisping. They've also used local talent to bring in crowds, and have been able to bring big name battles to the region. Not only have they held events in England, but also in Belfast, and now moving into Scotland. The UFC doesn't want to stop a good thing. Sellouts give them money, but not enough money to supplement their costs of bringing fighters and staff to England, and advertising in a new market that may not know what the UFC is all about.

Costs are the main culprit here. Costs are what cause the expansion of many companies to halt until better things come along or the seas calm. In the UFC's case, the fish in the sea need to become more interested in what's on the surface. The means to that end is the television market.

Television markets plague the UFC's expansion

Television is the key to the expansion of nearly any sport. Get people to see what it is and associate a name with a visual representation of it. It's the fastest way to get name recognition and brand the UFC onto the combative sport of MMA. Of course, this is a tad different in England.

Television markets seem to be much different in markets outside of the U.S. for many promoters. They usually aren't welcome unless they are highly profitable ventures. The UFC has seen the toughest market in Japan, and they could be seeing more of the same in the UK. How can the UFC remedy that problem? Continue to sellout arenas, and try to gain some key sponsors that are in relation to the region. The more you can draw to yourself, the better it is to gain attention from the bigger dogs.

Stretching itself thin

Instead of focusing big expansion, the UFC is now focusing on moving into a small market that is relatively close to one that they are already somewhat familiar with. Scotland also has a good size MMA fanbase and should sellout the card easily. It's a smart move because they won't spread themselves thin on funds due to the exorbent cost of trying to move into a market that may not care about MMA. That could risk a lot of money for little gain.

Eventually with enough sellouts and enough exposure to the UK media, the UFC will have potential suitors. Before a TV or PPV deal can be made, the UFC will have to continue to show its worth in the UK. Once the UFC can turn a profit on another continent and rely on it to help drive the Zuffa machine, expansion into the other areas of Europe will surely be much easier.