Report: UFC Noche details trickle out

The Hollywood Reporter reports on the UFC’s plans for its big event at The Sphere on September 14th. Dana White has intimated that the company has spent an overwhelming amount of money on the event which is said to be a “celebration of Mexico’s contribution to combat sports.”

Of course, the main event is Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC Bantamweight title. Neither is Mexican by heritage although Merab has embraced the culture which is reminiscent of GGG embracing the “Mexican style” moniker.

Alexa Grasso, who is Mexican, will be defending her UFC Flyweight title against Valentina Shevchenko.

According to the article, the UFC is working with director Glenn Weiss and Carlos Lopez on the production of the event. There will be “a series of short films” which celebrate Mexico combat sports in between bouts on the big screen. Each fight will take place in different “worlds” projected on the screen.

Notably, the article indicates White stating that most of UFC’s PPVs cost about $2 million but they budgeted $8 million for the Sphere. He made the comment in the article and at a press conference that the costs are over $20 million.

Of note, UFC Noche is not yet a sellout. The prices are astronomical and occur the same night as Canelo Alvarez fighting across town at T-Mobile Arena, where the UFC is an anchor tenant.

Also worthy to note that the UFC “had a dustup” with MGM about “giving away” the September 14th date to Canelo. The UFC has an exclusive deal with the MGM to have its events at T-Mobile Arena.

Payout Perspective:

It will be interesting to see if the event sells out or if the UFC will manipulate the attendance figures to show the venue at capacity. Or, maybe a flurry of people are willing to spend thousands of dollars for the show. For the Sphere, the event will be talked about and reviewed by other sports leagues to see if it can fit its product in this attraction. The article indicated that the property was looking outside of music acts to house. This past summer the NHL Draft was held at The Sphere.