Now that UFC 303 is in the books, CEO Dana White is all smiles. It wasn’t an easy one; multiple cancelations and paper-thin confidence surrounded the PPV. The feature co-mains alone changed a zillionth time. Nevertheless, International Fight Week went as planned. Now, the UFC goes from International Fight Week to Noche UFC at the Sphere.
Dana White’s endless tease of a $2.3 billion dream for the Las Vegas “Sphere” was to be a love letter to Mexican fans. With the Saudi GEA funding, the event is now part of the extended Riyadh Season Noche UFC. The 54-year-old maverick has high hopes for the UFC 306 PPV card. However, the NHL remains a thorn in his sight, and White is unwavering in his resolve to deliver.
That’s gonna be like fu*king kids playing with crayons compared to what we’re gonna do..Literally, kids playing with crayons…I will tell you this about the Sphere. It will be the biggest gate of all time, number 1. Number 2, it won’t be the greatest UFC event of all time, it will be the greatest sporting event of all time…
Dana White to assembled media at UFC 303 post-fight conference interviews
The NHL draft recently occurred at the Sphere and was spectacular for the 14,220 attendees. When White debuts the September card, he plans to make it a mega one. During a TKO Group Financial call, Mark Shapiro nudged geographic constrictions. Wishing to hit more road shows on a stable budget line, the UFC mega event would be one-and-done at the “Sphere.”
The NHL Draft at the Sphere in Las Vegas might be over, but the lasting impact of this class is just beginning.
And before any of them set foot on the ice for their new teams, @coreypronman grades each team’s haul.https://t.co/6UHWk2dmm3
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 30, 2024
White does not mind, though. He has already invested $16-17 million to make the Noche UFC a spectacular one. Now, he has added motivators to overshadow the NHL draft. The UFC CEO faced the question about topping NHL at UFC 303’s post-fight interviews. Based on the performance they put out, he isn’t impressed. Basking in UFC 303’s success might also be a confidence booster.
Saving graces and saving faces: How successful was UFC 303?
The June curse had hit hard, specifically for UFC 303 from inside T-Mobile Arena. Yet, UFC 303 generated $15,909,243 in live gate receipts with an announced attendance of 18,881. Fair play, to be honest. People flocked to attend a Madonna concert during UFC 301, but UFC 303 still had huge fan support despite the withdrawal of Conor McGregor.
Dana White has reason to celebrate UFC 303 despite setbacks; Noche UFC could be next (Source: es.agfight.com/X)The total payout for compliance with the UFC Promotional Guidelines for this event was $311,500. Two-division champ Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira leads the bunch with $42,000. Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) starched the competition via knockout (head kick, punches) – Round 2, at the 0:13 mark.
Pereira, Macy Chiasson, Joe Pyfer, Andre Fili, Cub Swanson, and Payton Talbott banked $50,000 in fight-night bonuses. The Brazilian was the lone championship bout at UFC 303. Fili vs. Cub Swanson consequently won Fight of the Night. Chiasson bagged an extra $50K for a violent elbow graze and pounding. Talbott’s eighth stoppage victory was one of the fastest. Ian Garry’s eight-fight UFC winning streak at welterweight is the highest in the division.
Additionally, Dan Ige’s three-hour short-notice fight was a bit too “short,” perhaps a record by itself. Ige (18-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) has lost all eight career decisions but won hearts instead. Noche UFC is up soon. A lot of cancellations can carry over to the card. All in all, the event is already shaping up to be a blockbuster.
