When the UFC started branching out of the United States, Europe was one of its first targets. The UK, Ireland, and Sweden quickly became hotspots, but Germany has also played an important role in the UFC’s European expansion. From Cologne to Berlin to Hamburg, German arenas have hosted some memorable fight nights that showcased both international stars and homegrown talent.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the UFC events that have been held in Germany, what made them significant, and how they helped shape the sport’s popularity in Europe.
UFC 99: The Comeback (Cologne, 2009)
- Date: June 13, 2009
- Venue: Lanxess Arena, Cologne
- Main Event: Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva
This was a landmark event: the first UFC card ever held in Germany and also the first full-scale UFC show on mainland Europe. The main event saw Rich Franklin take on Wanderlei Silva in a three-round war that had fans on their feet.
The card also featured Cain Velasquez, who would later become UFC heavyweight champion, defeating Cheick Kongo. Over 12,000 fans attended, proving that German interest in MMA was strong despite a limited media presence.
UFC 122: Marquardt vs. Okami (Oberhausen, 2010)
- Date: November 13, 2010
- Venue: König Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen
- Main Event: Nate Marquardt vs. Yushin Okami
Just one year later, the UFC returned to Germany. This event was headlined by a middleweight contender bout between Nate Marquardt and Yushin Okami, with Okami winning by unanimous decision.
While UFC 122 didn’t feature as many big names as UFC 99, it still attracted thousands of fans. It showed that Germany could consistently host UFC events, though the timing was tough—the event happened during a period when UFC broadcasts faced bans on German television.
UFC Fight Night 41: Mousasi vs. Muñoz (Berlin, 2014)
- Date: May 31, 2014
- Venue: O2 World (now Mercedes-Benz Arena), Berlin
- Main Event: Gegard Mousasi vs. Mark Muñoz
After a four-year break, the UFC came back strong with its first event in Berlin. Gegard Mousasi dominated Mark Muñoz with a first-round submission, cementing himself as a serious middleweight contender.
The Berlin crowd was electric, and the event signaled a new chapter for UFC in Germany. By this time, digital streaming platforms were growing, making it much easier for German fans to follow MMA compared to the early 2010s.
UFC Fight Night 69: Jedrzejczyk vs. Penne (Berlin, 2015)
- Date: June 20, 2015
- Venue: O2 World, Berlin
- Main Event: Joanna Jędrzejczyk vs. Jessica Penne (Women’s Strawweight Title Fight)
This event was historic for another reason: it was the first UFC title fight held in Germany. Joanna Jędrzejczyk defended her strawweight belt against Jessica Penne in a dominant performance that ended with a third-round TKO.
The fight remains one of the most brutal yet technically sharp title defenses in women’s MMA history, and German fans got to witness it live.
UFC Fight Night 93: Arlovski vs. Barnett (Hamburg, 2016)
- Date: September 3, 2016
- Venue: Barclaycard Arena (now Barclays Arena), Hamburg
- Main Event: Andrei Arlovski vs. Josh Barnett
Heavyweight legends headlined UFC’s first trip to Hamburg, with Josh Barnett submitting Andrei Arlovski in a thrilling fight that also earned both fighters “Fight of the Night” honors.
The card also featured Alexander Gustafsson, who defeated Jan Błachowicz (yes—the same Blachowicz who later became UFC light heavyweight champion). This event gave fans a mix of established stars and rising European talent.
UFC Fight Night 134: Shogun vs. Smith (Hamburg, 2018)
- Date: July 22, 2018
- Venue: Barclaycard Arena, Hamburg
- Main Event: Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Anthony Smith
The UFC returned to Hamburg two years later with another exciting card. Anthony Smith shocked fans by knocking out legend Shogun Rua in the first round, establishing himself as a new contender in the light heavyweight division.
The event also featured German lightweight Marc Diakiese and drew solid attendance, showing that Hamburg had become a reliable UFC city.
The Legacy of UFC Events in Germany
Germany has hosted six major UFC events so far, each one drawing solid crowds and giving fans memorable moments. While Germany doesn’t see UFC events as frequently as the UK or France, its role in UFC’s European history is undeniable.
Highlights include:
- First UFC event on mainland Europe (Cologne, 2009)
- First UFC title fight in Germany (Berlin, 2015)
- Showcasing legends like Wanderlei Silva, Barnett, Arlovski, and Joanna Jędrzejczyk
- Opportunities for German fighters to shine on home soil
Will UFC Return to Germany?
With Germany’s growing MMA fan base and the success of streaming platforms like DAZN, it’s likely that the UFC will continue scheduling events in cities like Berlin, Hamburg, or Munich in the future. The UFC knows that passionate German fans show up—and as new German fighters rise through the ranks, the demand for local events will only increase.
Final Thoughts
From Cologne in 2009 to Hamburg in 2018, Germany has witnessed some incredible UFC moments. These events not only entertained fans but also helped build the foundation for UFC’s popularity in the country.
As UFC continues its global expansion, don’t be surprised if Germany once again becomes a regular stop on the European fight calendar. For German fans, the Octagon has already left its mark—and the story is far from over.
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