Two stellar world title bouts headline UFC 306. It turns out that the star of the show is arguably the venue itself. The promotion will utilize every inch of the massive 160,000 square foot LED screen during the UFC 306 pay-per-view card – rebranded the Riyadh Season Noche UFC. UFC CEO and bossman Dana White is seeing to it that the event becomes larger than life.
Dana White, under the watchful funding of the Saudi GEA, is hosting the one-time event as part of the extended Riyadh Season. A Sphere-crazed White has already ponied up $17m for the promotion’s multimillion-dollar pay-per-view PPV) spectacle. That number is more as the UFC production crew is doing add-ins and propping up thematic fight kits. White recently did a first photo op from inside the ‘Sphere.’
Until now, the Riyadh Season Noche UFC production team has not dropped a single frame of the LED-riddles venue. However, UFC chief content officer Craig Borsari gave the scoop to THR (Hollywood Reporter) that White plans to tell cinematic chapters.
These 90-second interludes between fights are for the Mexican staple fighters. Earmarked for the Mexican Independence, the clips will celebrate Mexico’s contribution to combat sports. It remains a one-of-a-kind event that the UFC may never attempt again. As such, the stakes are much higher.
Throughout #NocheUFC, there will be “a film, a world and an act”:
The films consist of six short films, roughly 90 seconds long each, which will serve as interstitials in between the fights.
Those films will then transition into different “worlds/environments that take up the… pic.twitter.com/l6z9UVAw9b
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 4, 2024
Now, Dana White has attended the first in-site photo op from the venue. Subsequently, the Las Vegas ‘Sphere’ looks as brand as it was meant to be. Sporting a dome-shaped design for concerts and entertainment performances, it looks like cartridges of seating for a gladiatorial viewing! That and the light show are things surely worth leaving in awe of. As such, the matter has gone quite viral.
Fight fans react to first stills from ‘Sphere’
THR reiterated the event’s expense, especially compared to UFC events. The outlet had Dana White point out that most of the UFC’s pay-per-views cost the company $2 million to put on. This ‘Sphere’ event is now north of $20 million, having started with an $8 million budget. There’s much anticipation about the event and the venue overall.
Fans react to the Noche UFC ‘Sphere’ (Source: X)Sean O’Malley and color commentator Jon Anik have stated how wonderful the event will be. However, ‘Suga’ who meets No. 1-ranked contender Merab Dvalishvili has stated how the input into the venue could take away the focus from star fighters. Brian Ortega fights the third last bout at Noche UFC. He rightly describes the line between spectacle and distraction, billing it as the main driver of the event.
The prime assumption is that spots like Mexico City, UNESCO World Heritage Site Chichen Itza, or the ruined pyramids of Monte Alban will come into play. This is in tandem with prime staple fighters in UFC competition as part of the storytelling. While those come in the future, here’s how the MMA community reacted to the first-ever stills from inside.
It ain’t gonna mean shit on TV, and there were I think 3000 tickets left earlier in the week?
— The_Hubris_Filled_Moron 🇺🇲 (@Manny_Ribera__) September 6, 2024
Omg , this looks amazing. I think this is going to be historic
— TheMMAlabs (@TheMMALabs) September 6, 2024
They still trying to sell tickets lol
— One Time Sports (@onetimecards) September 6, 2024
I salute Dana because he really cares about the production value and how the UFC is presented. I recall they asked him about one of Masvidal’s early events, and he was quick to point out the production quality and how fast they got replays ready. Such a niche thing to point out
— Chris Thomas (@Pgsoleman) September 6, 2024
Some have alluded to tickets not selling out. While others hope the TKO-owned MMA company does not crash and burn. Others have billed the venue fit for a “Present Day Gladiator Match.” All in all, UFC 306 is shaping up to be larger than life.
