Fortunately for UFC, the new Saudi investors will be picking up most of the tab.
UFC Sphere will be a once-in-a-lifetime event — literally.
The promotion has no plans to return to the Las Vegas attraction following the UFC 306 pay-per-view (PPV) card on Sept. 14, simply because it costs too much money to produce. In addition, the venue was not designed for combat sports events, which could present logistical challenges on multiple fronts.
That won’t stop it from becoming the greatest live combat sports show in history.
“The Sphere in September, UFC 306, although that will be an expensive event to put on, for the record,” TKO Group Holdings President Mark Shapiro said during this week’s financial update. “That’s not a normal event. The Sphere is the Sphere, and it wasn’t necessarily built for UFC events. It will be a one and done. We will do it one and done. That is what Dana White has told us and he’s going to make it extra special.”
The promotion has yet to announce a fight card for UFC 306 at The Sphere. Some of the names being bandied about include reigning bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, who is expected to make his next 135-pound title defense against No. 1-ranked contender Merab Dvalishvili. Expect bookings to start trickling in over the next few weeks.
Tickets for UFC Sphere have yet to be released.