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The UFC have established themselves as the global leaders of MMA. Under the leadership of their president Dana White, they have had many historical events. The sport has gone from being illegal to a hot commodity for major networks.
They’ve hosted events in venues like Madison Square Garden and the United Center, and stadiums like Rogers Centre and Marvel Stadium. In addition, the promotion has continued to set attendance records and cemented their status as the premier destination for MMA.
Despite expanding their reach each year, the promotion has yet to host events in many notable cities and venues. There’s plenty of star power in the promotion as well as the Conor McGregor, who’s still clearly the sport’s biggest draw. The promotion should use their star power to generate interest in their next massive event. This list will look at 5 locations the UFC should host events in.
#5. UFC Africa: Moshood Abiola National Stadium
For years, Africa has been discussed as being the site of a big UFC pay-per-view event. The promotion’s event schedule and the global pandemic also didn’t do the continent any favors. There has never been a better time for the promotion to host an event in Africa than right now. With the magnitude of the first event and possibly all three African champions competing, a stadium would be an ideal venue.
The promotion currently have three champions of African origin, which they have never had. Francis Ngannou is the reigning heavyweight champion, Israel Adesanya is the middleweight champion, and Kamaru Usman is the welterweight champion. With two of their champions being Nigerian, the Moshood Abiola National Stadium would be the perfect venue. The stadium seats a capacity well over 60,000 is the home of the Nigerian national soccer team.
All three champions have expressed a desire to compete in an event in Africa and they could get their wish. White has been open to the idea of hosting an event in Africa once the pandemic allows them to do so and it will be interesting to see when this can happen.
#4. UFC Paris: Accor Arena
Paris, France has been a market that the UFC should take advantage of going forward. The country finally legalized MMA in 2020, however, Dana White has stated he won’t go anywhere that isn’t one-hundred percent capacity. With that in mind, the ongoing COVID pandemic hasn’t done any favors for the promotion. In terms of venue, the Accor Arena would be suitable for the promotion's debut. The 20,000 seat multipurpose arena is quite popular and will be one of the arenas for the 2024 Olympics.
Accor Arena would've been the perfect venue for the heavyweight championship unification bout between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane. White had previously stated that the plan was to have the heavyweights headline the promotion’s first event in Paris. However, the rise of COVID cases and variants put an end to that plan. Instead, their heavyweight championship unification bout took place in Anaheim, California, which saw 'The Predator' retain the title.
Despite the heavyweight championship unification bout not taking place in Paris, either fighter could still headline a future event there. Both stars have spent time in France and should sell out the arena if an event is held.
#3. UFC Vegas: Allegiant Stadium
Las Vegas, Nevada has been the sight of some of the biggest events in UFC history. The promotion has a strong presence in that market as that’s the sight of their Apex and headquarters.
For years, they’ve hosted many events at venues like Pearl at the Palms, MGM Grand Garden Arena, and T-Mobile Arena. After establishing themselves as a destination for combat sports in Vegas, they should capitalize on their reputation and raise the bar.
Going forward, the promotion should consider hosting its annual International Fight Week pay-per-view at Allegiant Stadium. The 65,000+ seat capacity stadium opened in 2020 and is home to the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League.
Since opening, the stadium has also been the sight of many concerts and events, including WWE SummerSlam last August. International Fight Week could become a bigger spectacle at Allegiant Stadium and would continue to grow their brand.
#2. UFC Ireland: Croke Park
One of the most surprising decisions from the UFC was never hosting an event at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. At 82,000+, the stadium is one of the largest in Europe and could shatter the promotion’s gate records.
With Conor McGregor being the biggest star in the sport, it would be a no-brainer to have him headline that event. The Irishman has expressed interest in fighting at Croke Park in the past and it would make perfect sense for the promotion to honor that request.
A pay-per-event at Croke Park headlined by ‘The Notorious’ would not only set attendance records, it could provide one of the wildest atmospheres the sport has ever seen. Before McGregor decides to legitimately retire from MMA, the promotion should have the stadium in their plans for a future event.
#1. UFC Texas: AT&T Stadium
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas has been rumored for as the likely host of the biggest UFC superfights over the years. The stadium is home to the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL and seats a capacity well over 100,000.
Some fights that would’ve likely taken place there include Brock Lesnar vs. Fedor Emelianenko, Georges St-Pierre vs. Anderson Silva, and Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor 2. The fights never materialized, so it’s understandable why the promotion would choose other venues for their stadium events. To sell out at a venue like AT&T Stadium, they need two stars that transcend the sport and a big rivalry.
Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya could’ve been a great co-headliner to a McGregor main event. But it seems unlikely now that ‘Bones’ is moving up to heavyweight. If history is an indicator, a pay-per-view at AT&T Stadium isn’t impossible, but depends on which fighters are on the card.
