UFC 306 took place over the weekend at the Sphere Las Vegas, paying tribute to Mexico with stunning visuals. Dana White, the owner of UFC, had promised a spectacular event that would transform live sports, and he certainly delivered. The event, branded Riyadh Season Noche UFC, featured six chapters of short films displayed on the venue’s iconic internal wraparound screen, which boasts an impressive 268 million video pixels. White invested $20 million to produce the show, creating an immersive experience for fans in attendance.
The event kicked off on Mexican Independence Day, with the short films showcasing the history of Mexico and its rich combat sports heritage. The visuals depicted the setting of the event being built from the ground up, with scaffolding on the big screen gradually transforming into a stunning wall adorned with Aztec-style decoration. The films also highlighted Mexico’s “eternal warriors” who never stop fighting for their people and the faith of the nation.
The main fight of the night saw an upset win for Georgian fighter Merab Dvalishvili against American Sean O’Malley. O’Malley, the bantamweight titleholder, was favored to win with odds of -140 compared to Dvalishvili’s +110, but Dvalishvili emerged victorious. In the co-main event, Alexa Grasso lost her Flyweight belt to Valentina Shevchenko after a dominant performance by the latter. Mexican fighter Diego Lopes also impressed with a win over Brian Ortega, securing his fifth straight victory and moving one step closer to a title fight.
The event was a first-of-its-kind spectacle, with a price tag of $20 million. Floor seats for the event ranged from $12,000 to $17,000, while non-floor seats were priced between $1,000 and $12,000. The gate record set by Riyadh Season Noche surpassed the previous record set by UFC 205, bringing in a staggering $22 million in revenue. Media personality Collin Rugg shared some additional stats from the event, highlighting the success and impact of UFC 306 at the Sphere Las Vegas.
Overall, UFC 306 at the Sphere Las Vegas was a massive success, with Dana White and the UFC delivering on their promise of a groundbreaking event. The tribute to Mexico, the immersive visuals, and the thrilling fights all contributed to an unforgettable night for fans in attendance. The event showcased the power of live sports and entertainment to captivate audiences and create lasting memories.