Tag: UFC Apex

UFC Omits Francis Ngannou’s Title Win Over Miocic From Top 100 Apex Knockouts

The UFC’s attempt to erase heavyweight great Francis Ngannou from its history continues. The knockout artist departed MMA’s leading promotion at the start of 2023, bringing to an end a lengthy contractual dispute that saw the Cameroonian fail to secure the terms he was after. He’s since found them under the PFL banner, where he’s […]

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The UFC’s attempt to erase heavyweight great Francis Ngannou from its history continues.

The knockout artist departed MMA’s leading promotion at the start of 2023, bringing to an end a lengthy contractual dispute that saw the Cameroonian fail to secure the terms he was after.

He’s since found them under the PFL banner, where he’s made the most of the freedom granted to him to explore a career in the professional boxing ring and begin a role as chairman for the promotion’s Africa expansion.

After two blockbuster boxing matchups against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou made his long-awaited return to the cage last month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Headlining the PFL’s latest pay-per-view, “The Predator” became the inaugural Super Fights heavyweight champion by battering Renan Ferreira en route to a first-round TKO.

The weeks since have seen Dana White attempt to detract from Ngannou. The UFC CEO has claimed that he didn’t like and even wanted to release Ngannou — who went on to win the title and become one of the greatest heavyweights of all-time — following his loss to Derrick Lewis in 2018.

He’s also insisted that Ngannou is “all about the money,” but simultaneously claimed that he turned down a more lucrative future in the UFC. That’s without mentioning the narrative that he ran from Jon Jones despite calling to fight “Bones” in the same year he defeated Stipe Miocic to capture gold.

And speaking of his title crowning, it would seem the UFC is doing what it can to erase the memory of it.

As the promotion prepares to stage the 100th UFC Fight Night to be hosted at the Apex this weekend, it compiled the “top 100 Apex knockouts” in a recent YouTube video. In terms of KOs witnessed there, not many were more brutal and important as Ngannou’s to finish the great Miocic in 2021.

With that in mind, surely it cracked the top five? Top 10? At the very least the top 50, right?! Okay, but it’s in the top 100, surely?!

The full video is below, so you can see for yourself which 100 knockouts were apparently better than Ngannou leaving the consensus heavyweight GOAT sleeping on the canvas…

Ngannou’s omission, which was first highlighted by MMA Orbit’s Logan Offord, is far from the first time that the UFC has been accused of attempting to eliminate the 38-year-old from its history.

The promotion has previously described Tafon Nchukwi as the first and only Cameroonian fighter in UFC history, of course ignoring Ngannou’s presence in that regard.

And just this past August, controversy swirled when Israel Adesanya’s comments were edited to take his mention of Ngannou as an African champion alongside him and Kamaru Usman out during the UFC 305 Countdown episode.

“The Last Stylebender” publicly spoke out against that, leading to White accepting responsibility for what he branded a mishap and call the former two-time middleweight champion to apologize.

But judging by the recent YouTube video, that incident evidently didn’t do much to alter the ‘avoid mentioning Ngannou’ approach.

Continue Reading UFC Omits Francis Ngannou’s Title Win Over Miocic From Top 100 Apex Knockouts at MMA News.

UFC Confirms Apex Events Will Continue, Plans for More Road Shows in 2025

UFC Apex David ShawUFC Vice President David Shaw confirmed Saturday that the UFC Apex will continue to be utilized despite the promotion’s…

UFC Apex David Shaw

UFC Vice President David Shaw confirmed Saturday that the UFC Apex will continue to be utilized despite the promotion’s plans for more road shows in 2025.

Shaw was filling in for UFC President Dana White at the UFC Edmonton post-fight press conference and spoke about the UFC’s plans to hit the road more in this upcoming year, but also maintained that the UFC Apex will continue to be a home for fights.

“There’ll be an increased number of events outside of the Apex relative to this year as we get into the 2025 schedule,” Shaw said (H/T Cageside Press).

David Shaw speaks on plans for the UFC Apex and explains its value to the company

“It’s tough for us to anticipate what two or three years down the road is going to look like,” Shaw continued. “But it (continuing to use the UFC Apex) makes a lot of sense for a lot of reasons. There’s a lot of fighters in Vegas, it’s easy for us operationally, it’s obviously simple from a budgetary perspective.”

“The rigor and the pressure and how laborious it can be to be on the road, I mean you guys know it, you’re week in and week out with us and other promotions. It’s tough,” he explained. “So I think having home games and being in the Apex where you can just turn off the lights and lock the door, it makes a lot of sense for us. Will we ever get back to pre-COVID of no Apex, I don’t think so. But I think we’re going to find the right balance for us.”

Fights at the UFC Apex saved the UFC during the COVID years, but fans have grown pretty tired of the tiny arena and almost nonexistent crowd. Fighters also seem to prefer fighting in packed arenas, as evidenced by their reactions to the electrifying crowd at UFC Edmonton. The Edmonton card also broke a record, becoming the highest-grossing Fight Night event in North American history at $2.6 million U.S.

‘Leave It Closed’ – MMA Fans React To Report That Renovations Will Pause UFC Apex Events

Since its official opening in 2019, the UFC Apex was created to be a state-of-the-art production facility for the MMA promotion. In addition to hosting fights for The Ultimate Fighter and Dana White’s Contender Series, the APEX has been an integral part of the UFC experience, hosting Fight Night events since the start of the […]

Continue Reading ‘Leave It Closed’ – MMA Fans React To Report That Renovations Will Pause UFC Apex Events at MMA News.

Since its official opening in 2019, the UFC Apex was created to be a state-of-the-art production facility for the MMA promotion. In addition to hosting fights for The Ultimate Fighter and Dana White’s Contender Series, the APEX has been an integral part of the UFC experience, hosting Fight Night events since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UFC’s events at the Apex, in terms of both card quality and limitations, however, have put a strain on fan enjoyment. But MMA enthusiasts may receive a small break from such cards in the near future.

According to Caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman on X), the renovations to the Apex that will begin in November mean the facility will not be re-opened until the summer of 2025.

Ken Hathaway of MMA Junkie followed Caposa’s post up by posting photos of the construction area.

UFC CEO Dana White confirmed in an interview with TNT Sports that a $25 million renovation will take place, allowing for more people to attend Apex events, as well as upgrades to bathrooms and hospitality features.

“We’re gonna travel more with the Fight Nights,” White said. “The [UFC] APEX is going under construction here. We’re actually expanding the APEX, and it’s gonna be bigger and better.”

Fans React To UFC Apex Renovations, Temporary Closing In Near Future

The August 10 UFC Fight Night event held at the UFC Apex, headlined by Marcin Tybura and Serghei Spivac, was the 95th Fight Night card held at the venue, dubbed the “UFC Vegas” series.

The upcoming UFC schedule, according to several reports and rumors, will see Fight Night cards at the Apex on August 24, September 7, October 12, October 19, and November 9. The November 9 card (which would be UFC Vegas 100), would serve as the final APEX card before the closing for renovations.

The UFC additionally has a November 2 Fight Night card, but it is unclear where this card will take place, as well as any Fight Night events held after November 9.

While it’s assumed the renovations would be completed before the start to the 2025 season of Dana White’s Contender Series, it is unclear what would happen to a 33rd season of The Ultimate Fighter due to the facility’s temporary closure.

Continue Reading ‘Leave It Closed’ – MMA Fans React To Report That Renovations Will Pause UFC Apex Events at MMA News.

Dana White confirms plans to ‘Phase out’ events at the UFC Apex amid criticizm: ‘We’re getting it done’

Dana White confirms plan to phase out UFC Apex facility event we're getting it doneAfter a thrilling UFC fight night in St. Louis, Dana White is teeming about potentially getting back to the…

Dana White confirms plan to phase out UFC Apex facility event we're getting it done

After a thrilling UFC fight night in St. Louis, Dana White is teeming about potentially getting back to the UFC’s pre-pandemic ways of traveling the globe for (nearly) every card.

The night of fights at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis was truly electric. The fights featured many hometown heroes, and the crowd was deafening as it seemingly roared all night long. Many said the atmosphere was as captivating as those in the crowds of PPV events, and it also helped that the fights themselves did not disappoint.

Dana White

Derrick Lewis returned to his winning ways and ended the night strong by knocking out Rodrigo Nascimento early into the third round. The co-main featured Joaquin Buckley victorious in fighting Nursulton Ruziboev in front of a hometown crowd, and both fans and fighters brought the intensity. It was a great night of fights, and it’s got UFC president Dana White very excited about the prospect of getting the UFC back on the road.

Of course, the UFC Apex is the organization’s private arena of sorts. It has served the UFC well but has grown stale in the face of critics. The UFC Apex doesn’t really feature much of a crowd, and despite the amount of money it can save the company, it is often labeled as boring compared to legitimate arenas.

Dana White recalls losing $3 million while gambling drunk in Las Vegas I was having a blast
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Dana White wants to move away from the UFC Apex and take the UFC Around the globe

The atmosphere at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis was definitely anything but boring, and it also was very profitable. According to Dana White, the fight night in St. Louis was the highest gate ever for a UFC Fight Night, generating $2.47 million with almost 16 thousand fans present.

“Even if you’re watching on ESPN, I mean, everybody — I’m sure you guys were getting text too. They’re like, ‘Jesus Christ. It’s like a pay-per-view there right now.’” Dana White said at the post-fight press conference.

“And this is,” he continued. “When you think about how we built this business, it was taking it out of the big markets. When we first got into the fight business, everybody just went to Vegas, Atlantic City, sometimes New York, sometimes LA. That’s the only place that really had fights unless you had a local kid.”

“We built this business, taking this thing to every city all over the world,” Dana White said proudly. “And as we start to get our s— together, I will call it, and start to move out and start to go to these different cities like we used to, the whole sport just goes to another level.”

Dana White confirms post-fight bonus winners will receive $300,000 checks at UFC 300 It's done
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

When asked if this meant the UFC Apex would no longer be the main host of UFC events, White replied in the affirmative. “It’s what I’ve been saying for a long time,” he said. We gotta get out of the Apex and start doing more events in all these different cities, and we’re starting to do it. We’re getting it done this year.”

Where would you like to see the UFC travel to next?

UFC implements new Apex seating policy, fighter’s family, friends ‘Escorted’ from arena after bouts

UFC introduce new ticket policy for fighters at APEX family escorted out of seats after fightsThe UFC has implemented a change that will allow fighters to receive tickets if they fight at the UFC…

UFC introduce new ticket policy for fighters at APEX family escorted out of seats after fights

The UFC has implemented a change that will allow fighters to receive tickets if they fight at the UFC Apex.

Tickets for events at the Apex are solid to the general public and go for thousands of dollars, leaving many fighters not having their family or friends in attendance for their fights. However, on Tuesday, MMAJunkie obtained a letter from the promotion’s Chief Business Officer, Hunter Campbell detailing a significant change.

UFC

“Beginning with UFC FIGHT NIGHT this Saturday, April 6, athletes who compete on cards at UFC APEX will receive four (4) seats for friends and family to watch their fight only,” Campbell wrote. “Following the bout, your guests will be escorted out of APEX. This practice will be in effect for all events at UFC APEX going forward. UFC Event Operations VIP Hosts will coordinate all details with you during fighter check-in of your respective fight weeks at the host hotel. All details will be provided, including specific arrival times for your guests.”

For events outside of the Apex, fighters typically receive four tickets but that wasn’t the case for Apex events. Instead, the organization will now give each fighter four tickets, but they will be shuffled out of the event once their fight is over, allowing fans to still buy tickets for events at the Apex.

UFC exec says Apex will ‘always be in the mix’

Although many fans have wanted the promotion to no longer hold events at the Apex, following UFC 284, executive David Shaw revealed the Apex would likely always be in the mix to host events.

Hunter Campbell The Next UFC Boss

“I think the APEX is always gonna be in the mix now, it make a lot of sense,” Senior Vice President for International Operations and Content Dave Shaw told reporters at the UFC 284 press conference (Via MMAMania). “We kinda turn off the lights and lock the doors when the event is over. It makes sense from an ease of operations.”

“It also makes sense as a good fallback plan, if we have something that just doesn’t work out in a venue or if it’s tough to get to a certain city we want to get to, we can always go to the APEX. I think there’s a lot of advantages to it. I don’t know the number (of events per year) but I think it will always be in the mix.”

Dana White recalls losing $3 million while gambling drunk in Las Vegas I was having a blast
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

With this latest change for fighters getting tickets, it’s likely the Apex will continue to remain in the rotation for hosting UFC events, despite many fans and fighters complaining about it.

‘Khabib Plz Stop For 4 Photo’: 66-year-old Woman Withstands Heat To Meet Her Hero

KhabibSince signing off with a second-round triangle choke success over Justin ‘The Highlight’ Gaethje [22-3-0] at Fight Island’s UFC 254, there’s clearly been no drop-off in the outpouring of love for Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov [29-0-0], Dagestan’s lightweight GOAT shoo-in.  Braving the searing 105°F heat of the Las Vegas streets, 66-year-old birthday girl and MMA […]

Khabib

Since signing off with a second-round triangle choke success over Justin ‘The Highlight’ Gaethje [22-3-0] at Fight Island’s UFC 254, there’s clearly been no drop-off in the outpouring of love for Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov [29-0-0], Dagestan’s lightweight GOAT shoo-in. 

Braving the searing 105°F heat of the Las Vegas streets, 66-year-old birthday girl and MMA die-hard Nelly Gonzalez smoothly stalked her 155lb hero at the UFC Apex, after getting wind of his attendance.

Armed with her homespun sign, inscribed with the words “Khabib plz stop for 4 photo”, the fanatical Colombian national wasted no time in courting the attention of a certain Dana Fredrick White Jr., who used his CEO sway to swerve Senora Gonzalez past security and into the air-conditioned Apex.

“I’m gonna get you to meet him, okay? I’ll get you a meeting with Khabib,” White revealed.

After exchanging numbers, it didn’t take long for White to make good on his word, with Khabib’s arrival leaving the California resident grinning from ear to ear. The meeting was promptly uploaded to the UFC’s Twitter and Instagram accounts on Wednesday, with the look on Nelly’s face painting an absolute picture:

Clearly believing she was on a run, cheeky Nelly quizzed head honcho Dana, on the possibility of securing a cage-side pass for Saturday’s star-studded show.

The Instagram story cuts out before a definitive answer was provided but make sure to keep your eyes peeled for Nelly around the Octagon this weekend!

Jealous of Nelly? Which UFC superstar would you most like to meet?