This weekend, UFC 306, dubbed “La Noche UFC,” will coincide with Mexican Independence Day, featuring a lineup full of Mexican fighters, headlined by world flyweight champion Alexa Grasso defending her title.
The event will take place at The Sphere in Las Vegas for the first time, promising not only exciting fights but also an innovative audiovisual experience that could redefine fight nights going forward.
Dana White and the UFC have reportedly invested up to $20 million into the event, making it one of the most expensive fight cards in MMA history.
However, the biggest fight of the night may not take place inside the octagon, but rather a few miles away at the T-Mobile Arena, where Mexican boxing superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is set to defend his super middleweight title against Puerto Rican Edgar Berlanga.
UFC 306 vs Canelo Alvarez
Canelo‘s fight has significantly overshadowed UFC 306, despite the UFC’s massive investment and promotion.
Adding fuel to the fire, Tom Brown, a promoter for Canelo‘s fight, criticized UFC 306 and questioned the event’s ability to compete with the boxing spectacle led by the Mexican icon.
Brown, president of TGB Promotions, took aim at the UFC’s plan to incorporate multiple video segments throughout the night to highlight the importance of Mexican fighters in combat sports history.
He implied that UFC needed such gimmicks because their event lacked the star power to rival a name like Canelo Alvarez.
“In boxing, we don’t need movies or performances between our fights,” said Brown.
“Having a Mexican superstar, pound-for-pound great, and the biggest name in boxing right now, Canelo Alvarez, headlining Mexican Independence Day weekend-there’s nothing bigger than that.”
While Brown‘s comments may hold some weight, it’s important to remember that UFC 306 will be held at The Sphere, a unique venue featuring massive wraparound screens designed to create an unforgettable experience.
However, the problem arises for viewers at home who won’t get to experience this spectacle, and ticket sales indicate that Canelo remains the main draw in Las Vegas.
Slow Ticket Sales for UFC 306
Canelo Alvarez‘s presence is likely the main reason why ticket sales for UFC 306 have been slow, leading to prices dropping as much as four times below their original value.
Some have suggested that the high ticket prices for The Sphere may be to blame, but it’s hard to ignore the shadow cast by Canelo‘s fight on the same weekend, further cementing his status as the king of combat sports events in Las Vegas.