The upcoming Saturday has been highly anticipated as potentially the ‘most spectacular event in sports history’. These bold words come from Dana White, the President of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), as he claims that the inaugural sports event at the avant-garde Sphere in Las Vegas, UFC 306, will redefine the sporting world as we know it. Also referred to as UFC Noche or Riyadh Season UFC Noche (306), this pay-per-view event adheres to the traditional naming conventions that are typical of the MMA industry.
The term UFC Noche signifies a tribute to Mexican athlete prowess during the Mexican Independence weekend, although none of the main fighters hail from Mexico for this event. As for the label Riyadh Season UFC Noche, this represents the festivity’s second partnership with Saudi collaborators. The state-of-the-art Sphere, which drew the curtain a year ago, has been the talk of the town, thanks to its outer shell that features a domed screen and a mesmerizing immersive interior screen.
The Sphere has been the backdrop for concerts from illustrious musicians such as U2 and Eagles, served as a cinema, and also played a significant backdrop role during the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. This week, an ever-enthused White shared with ESPN that ‘The Sphere is truly the centerpiece of the spectacle. It provides an experience that you won’t find anywhere.’
White, who is known for his flamboyant spirit, recounted his experience watching a U2 concert at the Sphere and how it made him realize the scope of blending sports and entertainment in an unprecedented way inside this magnificent venue. His eyes danced with excitement at the prospect of pulling off a sporting event at the Sphere which would unite the twin fields of sports and entertainment in a never-before-seen manner.
The glory of the Sphere doesn’t stop at being merely the backdrop. On September 14, it will set the stage for its first-ever sports event, UFC 306. ‘This event is set to be a trailblazer’, White elaborated, ‘potentially prompting other leagues to contemplate building similar structures, or giving older arenas a makeover. One can only dream about the heights that can be achieved with advanced LED technology and other potential features.’
However, an event of this magnitude does have its uncertainties. White, being a known exaggerator with a history of bold claims, could potentially be over selling UFC 306. The UFC President’s enthusiasm for the Sphere event has been quite evident. Kevin Iole, a seasoned journalist, previewed the event setup last week triggering a stunned response: ‘I am absolutely awestruck by the sight of what #NocheUFC will look like.’
Brian Ortega, a prominent fighter, echoed a similar sentiment this week after having a virtual reality experience of the event setup: ‘It felt quite bizarre. You step in from different directions. The now extended two minutes walkout is going to look incredibly different. I’ve heard they have some novel plans for the lighting. What’s clear is their intention to make this a unique event.’
White disclosed that the big screen at the Sphere will play a film during the event, segmented into various chapters chronologically arranged between fights. This film is assumed to be a tribute to Mexico’s rich fighting history. The specifics are still shrouded in mystery, but White was open about his ambitions, ‘My aim is to have this event nominated for an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Grammy.’
Adding another layer of interest to UFC 306 is the rivalry with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga’s fight. Scheduled for the same Saturday and set in the same city, the boxing champion will defend his unified super-middleweight titles at the T-Mobile Arena. This event, although not greatly anticipated by fans, adds another level of competition to the event scene.
White was later obliged to reveal that De La Hoya, a former boxing champion, will be attending the UFC event as a guest of Saudi adviser Turki Al-Sheikh. Al-Sheikh has revolutionized boxing in the past year and has past working experience with MMA stalwart Canelo, thereby gradually making his mark in MMA.
Although there lurks the possibility of UFC 306 being a letdown from a commercial viewpoint, such worry may be set aside due to the Saudi collaboration and its potential financial implications. As always, there is more to the picture than just economics. Entertainment plays a pivotal role and the UFC audience has been assured of an unprecedented spectacle.
Will Saturday unfold the magic as promised by UFC? Only time can tell. This event is the epitome of lofty expectations, and UFC has a significant promise to keep. Whether these anticipations will materialize into reality will be unveiled this weekend.