UFC’s Apex Facility Has Turned Into Godsend For Las Vegas-based MMA Fight Show Promotion
By Cassandra Cousineau of LVSportsBiz.com
Last week, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak said the state plans to lift COVID restrictions-19 except for mask-wearing and fully reopen at 100 percent capacity on June 1.
That date sets up a mega-rematch event headlined by UFC’s main marketing machine, Conor McGregor, and opponent Dustin Poirier for UFC 264 on July 10. The promotion will return to Las Vegas for its first PPV on that date to a sold-out house at T-Mobile Arena of more than 20,000 fans. Coincidentally, it’s also the same night Garth Brooks performs at Allegiant Stadium with 65,000 fans a mile south from T-Mobile Arena.
In the meantime, Las Vegas-based UFC is scheduled to hit the road on April 24, for UFC 261 inside VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., for the rematch between welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, and highlight king Jorge Masvidal.
When asked last month, White was non-committal as to what future plans were for fight cards held at its Apex facility, which opened next-dootr to the fight promotion’s headquarters off the 215 beltway in southwest Las Vegas. A quick check of the State of Nevada Athletic Commission’s calendar provides a bit of clarity. Although it’s very unlikely the Apex would surpass the MGM Grand Garden Arena as UFC’s most used venue anytime soon, it could close the gap as UFC has requested four permits of the commission for the month of May at Apex.
Take a look at UFC’s venues in Las Vegas through the years. UFC President Dana White put things in perspective regarding the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the UFC event locations: “How crazy is this? These are the venues that have hosted the most events over the last 20 years. Fight Island, Abu Dhabi and the APEX caught up quick.”
White was still on vacation and did not attend Saturday evening’s post-fight press conference to confirm a decision has been made for remaining UFC Fight Night events. He did respond with a, “I hope not,” when LVSportsBiz.com previously asked if the Apex would be home to any additional fight cards. It’s clear the promotion would rather capture a live gate after being shut down for nearly 13 months.
In the main event Saturday, Whittaker thoroughly dominated Gastelum to earn a unanimous decision shut out. All three judges scored the fight 50-45. Whitaker wasted no time in calling out the current champion, Israel Adesanya. “I think it’s time we crossed paths once again.” The Aussie referenced a prior second round KO loss to Adesanya from 2019.
PSA
