Anaheim, California – are you ready for what looks to be an exciting time in MMA and professional wrestling? The WWE and the UFC recently agreed to a 5-year live event partnership with Anaheim’s Honda Center.
In a press release, CEO of OCVIBE Bill Foltz seemed very excited about the iconic arena hosting WWE and UFC events in the future.
“Hosting UFC and WWE at the iconic Honda Center allows us to bring some of the most electric live experiences to the residents of Orange County,” said Foltz. “The infectious excitement of these events will only become more powerful as we reimagine the downtown experience for Orange County at OCVIBE, creating a magnetic destination for entertainment, sports, and culture.”
The partnership kicks off when the Honda Center hosts UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria. That will then be followed up by a WWE event, Monday Night Raw on February 19.
Honda Center Making History
This is a first as the venue looks to become the first ever to host UFC and WWE events back-to-back.
“For nearly 20 years, Honda Center has been one of UFC’s most favorite venues to visit,” said Peter Dropick, Executive Vice President of UFC Event Development and Operations. “The Samueli Family and Honda Center team have been amazing hosts and have helped us put on some of the most memorable UFC events ever. Now the creation of OCVIBE will take the fan experience to the next level with all the innovative ways they will be able to activate around UFC and WWE events in one destination.”
Quotes via UFC.com
The Honda Center (home to the Anaheim Ducks) is taking full advantage of the WWE and UFC merger. It’s nice to see a fan base like California rewarded for their long support of mixed martial arts and wrestling.
April 2006 was the first time that the arena hosted a UFC event, where Tim Sylvia knocked out Andrei Arlovski. This sparked an intense 4-fight rivalry between the two heavyweights that spanned over 7 years.
Many legends have fought under the Honda Center’s bright lights. Daniel Cormier, Tito Ortiz, Jon Jones, and Brock Lesnar, are some of the biggest names that have competed there. Fans understand how big the legacy of the arena has become with those big names going to war.
The WWE and Honda Center History
The Honda Center and the WWE have had an amazing partnership over the years. The arena has hosted many WWE events including WrestleMania XII, Royal Rumble 1999, and WrestleMania 2000. The venue has also hosted Monday Night Raw and SmackDown.
The Honda Center, which recently celebrated 30 years of concerts and sporting events, is in a great place right now. It’s exciting to anticipate the memorable moments the UFC and WWE will create moving forward.
With this news, do you think more venues will cash in like the Honda Center and lock in and host more UFC and WWE events? Let us know in the comments below.
Featured Image Credit to Embed from Getty Images
