TMZSports.com
Dana White and the UFC are hosting one of their most ambitious cards yet at the Sphere on Saturday – and that’s saying something for someone who’s built an entire ‘Fight Island’ – an event that the UFC tells us wouldn’t happen without Tom Brady!
White joined in Babcock on TMZ Sports TV show (broadcast every evening FS1) this week… where he revealed that TB12 was the inspiration behind the first ever Sphere sporting event.
“I went to the Sphere with Tom Brady. He invited me to come to U2 with him. If Brady hadn’t invited me, I wouldn’t have even been to the Sphere. It’s almost like this was meant to be” , the UFC said. CEO said about the mega event.
FYI: The Sphere is a state-of-the-art venue in Las Vegas that offers an incredibly unique, immersive viewing experience unlike anything the world has ever seen.
In fact, White says his fight promotion is under contract with MGM, and had there been no dispute, UFC 306 would almost certainly have gone down at T-Mobile Arena – which is partly owned by the casino giant.
“No matter how it turns out, this should have happened. It’s a one-off event. I’m under contract [MGM] and I’ll come back with [them] after this event.”
If you haven’t heard of Saturday’s UFC 306 card, also known as Noche UFC – which takes place over Mexican Independence Day weekend – it will be held on September 14 in Sin City… and will feature two title fights, including a matchup- pitting “Suga” Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili.
Dana says the ultimate goal was to celebrate Mexican heritage… and what its people have brought to the fighting world.
“I call it my love letter to the Mexican people on Mexican Independence Day. We’re going to talk about their traditions, their culture, their history and their contributions to martial arts,” White told us.
None of that came cheap… but Dana says it looks like the promotion will be a historic night.
“I’ve got 20 million in, but pre-buys, we’ve had the largest pre-buys ever in the history of the UFC for any event we’ve ever done. And it looks like it’s going to be $23 million , that’s the biggest gate we’ve ever made.”
Watch the full interview with Dana. He talks about what viewers at home can expect from the event, and he also previews some of the fights he’s most excited about.
And remember: if you dig it, you can thank the GOAT!