ULTIMATE Fighting Championship chiefs say they will pour more than $35 million into the Victorian economy and create more than 230 full-time jobs if a statewide cage fighting ban is lifted.

Setting the scene for a state election cage-fighting brawl, UFC heavyweights have booked Etihad Stadium for November 15 next year and promised to sell out the venue for a prime-time fight.

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If Labor wins power, it has vowed to revoke a Victorian cage-fighting ban brought in by the former Brumby government.

The Napthine Government has ruled out letting the fight take place in Melbourne if it is returned.

UFC director Tom Wright was in Melbourne at the weekend and told the Herald Sun: “I don’t see how Melbourne can call itself the biggest sporting city in the world if it doesn’t have the fastest-growing sport in the world.

“The Government has written a big cheque for Bernie Ecclestone to get the Grand Prix but if it was smart, they would say ‘we’ll let UFC come here and it will pay for the Grand Prix’,’’ he said.

A similar UFC event in Toronto four years ago generated $35 million of direct economic activity, $8 million in state taxes and $11.3 million ticket sales.

“If we went to Etihad Stadium, we would expect 40 to 50,000 people and I think the economic impact would be even larger,’’ Mr Wright said.

With UFC fights banned in Melbourne, Victorian fans travel interstate and overseas. Opposition sports spokesman John Eren said the Government was turning its back on easy money.

“This government needs to get its head out of the sand and realise the potential of tourism dollars that a UFC event could bring,’’ he said.

Sports Minister Damian Drum confirmed the Government would take its cage-fighting stance to the polls.

“With the community concern on street violence and one-punch incidents, I think community standards on the issue have heightened,’’ he said.

Melbourne MMA Fight Store owner Michael Button said the event would be a “second Christmas’’ for retailers and hotels.

peter.rolfe@news.com.au