The UFC have been using the Apex since 2020. Fans are disputing as to whether the UFC should keep hosting fights in the Las Vegas arena. The topic in question is very controversial with many different views and discussion points. In this article, some of the main points of discussion will be detailed and discussed.
The first event that took place in the UFC Apex was UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs Burns. This took place on the 31st of May 2020, four years removed from this card. Is there still a place for the Apex or should it have been left as a stopgap due to the pandemic hitting?
UFC Apex: Where are we today?
As of writing ,the most recent event held at the Apex was UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs Gaziev. This event being the 93rd event held at the Apex. Since the return of the UFC, 56% of events have been held at the Apex (Feb 2024). As detailed below the stats and sheer impact of Apex events has been staggering, even on a US wide stage.
From a business standpoint using the Apex makes complete sense. Financially and non-financially there are a few advantages for the UFC using the apex to host fight nights. A major advantage being that they do not have to sell out a capacity crowd. Instead, the UFC focuses on VIP experiences for fans and celebrities. Some could argue that not needing to sell a specific amount of tickets for the event means the quality of the card is lower. On the flip-side certain fighters get chances to headline events that otherwise wouldn’t on PPV events.
We have heard fighters say that they draw energy from the crowd and it helps spur them on during fights. We’ve also heard that fighters like how smoothly proceedings are at the Apex as opposed to other arenas where the UFC do not have full control. This is a very important point, we saw during the UFC Mexico card that anything can happen during the events. The UFC having control over all aspects of the events which take place in the Apex ensures major events are under control and stopped.
The ESPN deal
We know a major component in this discussion is the ESPN deal that the UFC have. According to Renato Moicano the UFC have a deal worth $300 million dollars to show 42 events per year on the channel. This staggering $300 million figure is made by the UFC regardless of the amount of people who watch the card. With this in mind, the UFC holding events at the APEX knowing they have a contract worth $300 million, can put events on without the need to entice audiences.
Renato Moicano claiming the ‘UFC (the hierarchy) don’t care enough about fight nights’ meaning the quality of cards are very low.
To conclude and answer the initial question, should the UFC Apex be kept or scrapped? While Moicano does not speak for the whole fanbase, his viewpoint is held by a large proportion of fans. On the whole, there was a place for the UFC Apex after returning from the pandemic and all the troubles that came with it. However, events should no longer be held at the Apex.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
