US-based fitness franchise UFC Gym has opened its first European club.

The 18,000sq ft (1,670sq m) studio in Nottingham, UK is the first of 105 clubs planned for the UK and Ireland over the next 10 years.

The franchised gym chain is the first major brand extension of UFC, the world’s premier MMA organization, and was developed in partnership with New Evolution Ventures.

Since its launch in 2009, UFC Gym has opened more than 150 locations in more than 25 countries and territories – including the US, Australia, Canada, India and Mexico – but has yet to enter the European market.

All of the UK and Ireland openings are being delivered by master franchisee TD Lifestyle – a venture set up to manage the portfolio.

The ownership group includes former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping and former British karate heavyweight champion Joe Long.

“We’re so pleased to have opened the first UFC Gym in the UK as part of our development schedule and are excited to announce more locations soon," Long said.

"UFC Gym has options for the whole family to train and the Nottingham club will be the ultimate fitness experience destination."

The Nottingham club will offer three formats – Signature, Core and Class – giving members the choice of functional fitness classes, group and private MMA training, dynamic performance-based training, group classes and MMA youth programming.

UFC Gym has signed a partnership deal with Life Fitness to supply the Nottingham site with equipment from its Hammer Strength, Cybex and Indoor Cycling Group brands.

UFC's partnership with TD Lifestyle is the largest development partnership in UFC Gym's history.