A history of UFC and Casino Venues
UFC and Casinos have a rich history when it comes to holding events within casinos with sell-out crowds in attendance. We’ve seen history being made in the process, so here’s a look at our favorite UFC-Casino events:
MGM Grand Garden Arena
The MGM Grand Garden Arena, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, has hosted multiple events in combat sports, including over 40 UFC fight cards.
One of the location’s biggest moments in mixed martial arts history came when Chuck Liddell beat long-time rival Tito Ortiz at UFC 66 back in 2006.
Other famous events have included Chris Weidman beating Anderson Silva for the middleweight title back in 2013 and Georges St Pierre defending his strap against Thales Leites at UFC 97 in 2009. Although he eventually chose to reverse his decision, St Pierre’s first retirement fight came at the MGM Grand Garden Arena when he fought, and beat, Johny Hendricks at UFC 167.
Mandalay Bay Events Center
Over the past 20 years, Mandalay Bay Events Center has hosted 31 UFC fight cards with their first being UFC 33, which saw Tito Ortiz headline against Vladimir Matyushenko, back in 2001.
Mandalay Bay’s most recent event was UFC Fight Night 88 with the location also boasting the largest weigh-in show in the history of the sport which welcomed 10,000 fans ahead of International Fight Week 2012.
Although the UFC has since moved its Las Vegas-based pay-per-view fight cards to the T-Mobile Arena as part of their marketing and tenancy agreement, Mandalay Bay will always hold a special place in fighters’ and fight fans’ hearts.
Palms Casino
The most famous event the UFC have held at the Palms casino was The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 10 Finale between Brendan Schaub and Roy Nelson.
The reason this event is so famous is that it served up what has so far been Jon Jones’ only professional defeat.
Jones fought Matt Hamill on the undercard and although the future hall-of-famer was dominating the matchup, after unleashing some downward elbows, the New York-born striker was penalized for an illegal blow and consequently stripped of what looked like a certain victory.
What Does the Future Hold?
Nothing will ever come close to the atmosphere of a live audience when there’s a title on the line, but it also limits the amount of money that Dana White can make.
Virtual events are growing in popularity and it means there’s no real limit to the number of fans who can attend. Will we see a future where we see UFC team up with one of the best online casinos to bring a virtual event to fans? It’s certainly possible.
