MMA Junkie reports (via the Las Vegas Review Journal) that the UFC is considering holding an event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The talk of an event at the Speedway stems from Dana White being inducted into the Southern Nevada’s Sports Hall of Fame with Speedway President Chris Powell. Powell approached White with the idea during the ceremony.
Via MMA Junkie:
The speedway, which currently hosts a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race each March, can accommodate 142,000 spectators. However, according to Powell, they could also erect a temporary bowl in the infield, which could either replace or supplement the existing seating. Either way, video boards would be needed to assure everyone can see the actual fights in the sprawling complex.
Payout Perspective:
Before we set our calendars for a Superfight to be held at the Speedway, the talk comes out of what appears to be a friendly pitch made by Powell. While White certainly seemed open to the idea nothing has been set. With that being said, an outdoor stadium show in Vegas might be a unique idea that would bring in a ton of fans more so than the standard UFC show in Vegas. But the concern would be whether fans would gravitate to such a card. It would have to be Silva v. Jones and GSP v. Hendricks and another top another top tier fight on the card to draw 100,000 plus fans. We shall see if this event actually occurs.
This is too much of a leap to me. After the UFC partnered with Fox I suggested the they should do a double with NASCAR in Vegas. But not at the racetrack. To me the safe route and a good feeling out process would be for NASCAR, UFC, and Fox to work together and all co-promote a weekend of fun on Fox. For the Vegas race they should put together a very good card and put in on Fox and hold it in Vegas. Tie it all together and promote it nicely. Gauge the interest and see how it turns out. If it blows the roof off then maybe look at doing an actual night of fights at the speedway.
they should have a race and the fight in the middle at the same time! 😀
that would beat the hell out of the alligators that sephomore wa tet to have around the octagon at ufc1.
just kidding