UFC Will NOT Be Returning to Sphere Despite Record Success

Last weekend’s UFC 306 pay-per-view (PPV) event broke multiple revenue records.

Not only did the “O’Malley vs. Merab” card become the highest-grossing UFC event, as well as the highest-grossing show at The Sphere in Las Vegas, it also set a record for the most merchandise ever sold during a live UFC event.

Those types of profits would make a return to The Sphere seem like a no-brainer, but it turns out UFC CEO Dana White has no plans to make a second trip to the high-tech venue, and it’s not because of the hefty production price tag.

“No, I’m under contract with MGM,” White told reporters at the UFC 306 post-fight press conference (watch it here). “I told you guys leading up to this, the way that this whole thing played out, tonight was meant to happen. It happened, we did it, we killed it … I have literally been getting blown up by everybody about this event. The other thing we did was that it translated well onto television, too. People felt like it was a different experience than they get on a normal Saturday night for a UFC event.”

In addition to MGM Grand Garden Arena, MGM also operates T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where UFC hosts the majority of its “Sin City” events. How White managed to negotiate a one-off at The Sphere is unknown, but it didn’t sit well with a certain “douche” at MGM.

UFC 306 featured Merab Dvalishvili capturing the bantamweight title from Sean O’Malley in the five-round main event. In addition, Valentina Shevchenko reclaimed her 125-pound crown by knocking around longtime rival and fellow TUF 32 coach Alexa Grasso.

Its Monday , damn that was a quick assessment !

2 Likes

Now that they’re under the same umbrella, I could totally see WWE taking the blueprint and running the ball with the Sphere. It’s probably be a wild show with all the theatrics they do.

7 Likes

Mexican Sphallus not all it was cracked up to be egg?

Broke a new record for ‘most merch sold at an event’ lol

This time next year we’ll be judging a UFC event’s success by how many hotdogs they sell in a single night.

They’ve probably doubled their profits in advertising alone. Look at that ridiculous Octagon mat! I’m surprised they didn’t paint Buffer like an Oompa Loompa to promote that last Wonka movie.

14 Likes

Someone should tell the article writer that “gross” and “profit” are not the same thing.

4 Likes

He said all along it was a one and done

2 Likes

LOFL

1 Like

Jerry Seinfeld Popcorn GIF by Sheets & Giggles

2 Likes

but where are ufc gonna celebrate chinese independence day?

5 Likes

Why the gell can’t the build a replica in the United States??? Dana and his buddies are frickin billionaires

1 Like

You are aware that the Sphere is Las Vegas right?

6 Likes

Dana White hoping UFC 306 wins a Sports Emmy:

“It should [win an Emmy],” he said at the UFC 306 post-fight press conference. “Listen, I talked a lot of s— for a lot of years about boxing and Showtime. I always like to push the envelope and make it better. When new technology comes out, we try to raise the bar because I think it should be. What these guys pulled off, we should be stepping over Emmys at the office.”

There’s two possible categories we could see UFC 306 winning: Outstanding Live Special and Outstanding Digital Innovation. And White promised he’d be making special programming about the event, which would put them in Outstanding Feature, Outstanding Documentary, and Outstanding Edited Event Coverage contention.

1 Like

Or more importantly jew bag independence day. Ari may get his feelings hurt if and his zionist buds are left out.