UFC president Dana White has confirmed he will be heading Down Under for Sydney’s hyped UFC 293 card after signing off on a huge new multi-year deal with the Foxtel Group.

Only seven weeks out from what will be the first of three massive events in Sydney over the next four years, White confirmed both Foxtel and Kayo Sports as the exclusive distributor for all UFC Pay-Per-Views Down Under.

The news comes only a day after UFC Australia boss Dave Shaw also revealed the Octagon will now be headed Down Under for a “minimum” of two shows every year.

SUN JULY 30: UFC 291 — Dustin Poirier v Justin Gaethje 2 and Jan Blachowicz v Alex Pereira. ORDER ON MAIN EVENT ON KAYO SPORTS >

In Sydney this week to promote ticket sales for the September 10 event, Shaw – the senior vice president of international content – confirmed Australia as a new permanent fixture on the UFC calendar, with at least one PPV and Fight Night card annually.

Shaw was also on hand at a Sydney press conference on Wednesday to confirm the UFC’s extension of a long-standing relationship with Foxtel Group, which first began broadcasting UFC programming in 2008.

Starting in January 2024, every UFC Pay-Per-View event will be broadcast exclusively on both Kayo Sports and Main Event on Foxtel, while Foxtel also remain the exclusive UFC commercial PPV provider through Foxtel for Business.

White praised the extension of his broadcast deal, before confirming he will be headed Down Under in September for the Sydney event.

While the UFC boss no longer travels to all international events — and was not at UFC 284 in Perth five months ago — he will be jetting down for the Sydney event.

While yet to have a main event announced, the Qudos Bank Arena card will include a host of local talent like Tai Tuivasa, Tyson Pedro and rising female fighter, Casey O’Neill.

“I’m excited that we are extending our broadcast partnership with Foxtel Group,” White said.

“Foxtel and Kayo Sports are the best sports broadcasters in the country, and they have backed UFC in Australia since the beginning.

“Together, we will continue to grow UFC in Australia, and they will be the destination for the biggest and baddest fights we put on year-round.

“I can’t wait to get back to Sydney for UFC 293 this September. See you then Australia!”

Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said the new deal arrived with Aussie MMA on the cusp of a golden era — thanks to headliners like UFC featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski and former middleweight champ, Robert Whittaker.

“For 15 years we have been bringing the biggest UFC fights to Australian audiences,” Delaney said.

“And this new agreement will extend and elevate that partnership on the cusp of a golden era for the sport.

SUN JULY 30: UFC 291 — Dustin Poirier v Justin Gaethje 2 and Jan Blachowicz v Alex Pereira. ORDER ON MAIN EVENT ON KAYO SPORTS >

“UFC boasts the youngest fan base of any professional sport in the country and it’s exciting to continue our partnership with a brand that has such enormous growth potential – both at home and abroad.

“It’s the perfect match for our more than three million sports subscribers streaming on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.”

Following a three-year absence, the UFC returned to Australia earlier this year when Volkanovski moved up to try and dethrone lightweight champ Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 in Perth.

While unsuccessful in an incredibly close contest, the event still proved a huge one for Volkanovski’s popularity and the ongoing rise of the sport Down Under.

The event recorded a gate of $5.8M, making it the highest-grossing event ever for any arena in Australia.

On September 10, UFC 293 will take place at Qudos Bank Arena – the first Sydney event in six years and first Pay-Per-View since 2011.

Since 2010, the UFC has presented 16 live events in Australia, including sold-out shows at Qudos Bank Arena, Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, Perth Arena, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Entertainment Centre and Gold Coast Convention Centre.

These events have had a combined attendance of over 280,000 fans, with millions more watching on Pay Per View and broadcast television globally.