APEX building
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(Correction: A previous version of this story reported the number of seats for Apex’s expansion in error. The number for seating is about 1,000.)
By Cassandra Cousineau, LVSportsBiz.com Combat Sports Writer
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — The UFC Apex epansion project could play a key role in TKO’s high-profile $1.6 billion WWE–ESPN Deal.
The Las Vegas venue, a redeveloped building within walking distance of UFC’s main headquarters building off the 215 beltway in the southwest valley, may host not only UFC events but WWE events as well as part of ESPN’s combat sports strategy.
It’s hard to believe but the UFC Apex has been around so long that it will host its 116th event tonight.
The Fight Night event may seem like business as usual for the billion-dollar fight promotion, but given TKO Group Holdings’ seismic five-year, $1.6 billion deal with ESPN, the 130,000-square-foot facility could soon be a major factor in the network’s direct-to-consumer platform strategy.
Under the agreement, ESPN will become the exclusive U.S. home for all WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs) starting in January 2026, paying WWE an annual rights fee of $325 million. The partnership is a significant jump from the $1 billion NBCUniversal has paid for Peacock’s WWE package over the past five years.
While the deal secures a lucrative new home for WWE’s marquee events, it also hints at a deeper integration between TKO’s two powerhouse brands. — WWE and Las Vegas-based UFC.
UFC VP of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner said, “It’s going to be enlarged. It’ll probably be seating about 1,000 is what I’ve heard.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 26: UFC president Dana White speaks to Laura Sanko after the fights during Dana White’s Contender Series Season 6 Week 1 at UFC APEX on July 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)The Apex has been central to UFC’s operations since 2019, hosting everything from Fight Night cards to Dana White’s Contender Series. It was also the home for Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee business events in 2023 and 2024.
Tonight’s Fight Night event marks the 72nd UFC on ESPN Main Card, underscoring the network’s entrenched role in distributing UFC content. At least until the current rights deal ends in January 2026.
While the Raiders and A’s stadium projects, T-Mobile Arena and other Strip corridor venues draw the spotlight, the UFC Apex is an under-reported yet vital small venue that was built privately without public dollars.
UFC’s exclusive negotiating window with ESPN expired in April, and the promotion is seeking more than $1 billion for its next U.S. media package. This will be a major new media deal for UFC.
Amazon, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and YouTube are all reportedly circling, but TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro said during a recent share owners , UFC rights talks are in the “home stretch.”
“We were always a little reticent about having all of our eggs in one basket,” Shapiro said. “When you’re doing these deals, you’re balancing monetisation with reach. That certainly played a factor when we went into the market.”
Perhaps UFC isn’t leaving ESPN after all. The two were dating in the media partnership world since 2019. Maybe it’s time to get married. The initial deal was for five years and worth a reported $1.5 billion. The network’s recent departure from the Top Rank Boxing business creates potential openings. Whether for Zuffa Boxing, a restructured UFC package, or cross-promotional opportunities that leverage WWE’s new home on the platform.
Shapiro described Zuffa Boxing as TKO’s “fourth tentpole sports asset” alongside UFC, WWE, and PBR. The venture, he said, carries minimal downside risk.
“This is low risk, and TKO received a roughly $10 million fee for serving as managing partner and providing day-to-day operational management oversight,” Shapiro explained. “That’s all margin for us. TKO has no funding obligation.”
Meanwhile, UFC CEO Dana White is stepping into boxing promotion with the Canelo Álvarez–Terence Crawford super fight at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, set to stream live on Netflix without a PPV surcharge. That distribution model could influence future decisions for both UFC and WWE.
With WWE locked into ESPN through 2030 and UFC’s media rights negotiations approaching the finish line, the Apex, soon to be bigger and more versatile, may emerge as a key asset in TKO’s bid to control the combat sports landscape. An octagon, boxing ring and wrestling ring could all end up under the same roof at the building off the Vegas beltway.
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