Dana White and the UFC’s latest trip to Canada has been a fruitful one! UFC Vancouver brought in an announced gate of $2.7 million and drew 17,671 fans, placing it firmly among the most successful non-Apex Fight Nights of the year. The event outperformed markets like Kansas City, Des Moines, and Nashville, proving that the Great White North still punches above its weight in drawing power!

For the UFC boss, this wasn’t just another profitable stop. It was a reminder of why he calls Canada one of his favorite fight destinations. Earlier this year, before UFC 315, White had confessed, “Some of the most fun times in my career were when we were breaking into Canada back in the day, getting (professional mixed martial arts) legalized in Ontario (in 2010).” And looking at Vancouver’s numbers, it’s easy to see why.

UFC Vancouver delivers spectacularly for Dana White and the promotion

The figures were provided on X by Jed I. Goodman, and they told an interesting story. UFC Vancouver’s $2.7 million gate ranked 6th overall among non-Apex, non-Riyadh, and non-Shanghai Fight Nights in 2025, placing it ahead of Kansas City ($2.2M), Des Moines ($2.47M), Perth ($1.8M), and even Paris in terms of attendance. With 17,671 fans packing Rogers Arena, the event secured the 5th-highest attendance of the year, eclipsing cards in Rio (16,297), Baku (14,424), and Perth (12,543).

That’s no small feat for a market that, not long ago, had gone nearly a decade without a consistent UFC presence. Only the blockbuster crowds in Mexico (19,731), London (18,583), Seattle (18,287), and San Antonio (18,005) managed to top Vancouver’s turnout this year. Financially, Vancouver trailed only juggernauts like London ($4.71M), Paris ($4.33M), and Seattle ($3.84M), markets with long-standing histories of UFC sellouts for Dana White and company.

So what makes Canadian cards so special? The UFC CEO had previously confessed, “The Canadian fans are awesome. They always bring incredible energy”, and that passion translated directly into numbers, proof that when the UFC comes north, fans show up and spend big.

UFC Vancouver wasn’t just a financial win; it was symbolic. It marked the promotion’s seventh trip to Vancouver and the first since UFC 289 in June 2023. Mike Malott defeated Kevin Holland in a gritty co-main event, while Canadians Charles Jourdain, Aiemann Zahabi, and Kyle Nelson all notched statement wins. For local fans, it wasn’t just a card; it was a celebration of Canadian MMA’s new era.

When you stack the stats, the message is clear: Canada remains a top-tier market for the UFC. The Vancouver gate outperformed six other international Fight Nights, while its attendance cracked the top five worldwide. Even compared to U.S. cities like Kansas and Atlanta, the Canadian crowd held its own both in turnout and ticket revenue. Yet, there were still a couple of hurdles that popped up at the event!

White’s absence at the post-fight presser and veteran referee’s blunder marred UFC Vancouver

Just when it seemed UFC Vancouver had ticked every box for a flawless Fight Night with a sold-out arena, electric atmosphere, and a string of Canadian victories, things suddenly veered off-script. The moment the post-fight press conference began, one question rippled through social media and the live YouTube chat alike: Where is Dana White?

No explanation was given for the UFC boss’s absence, but fans weren’t shy about speculating. White’s missing presence caused an unexpected delay for Brendan Allen’s portion of the media session, leaving reporters and viewers waiting. For a card that celebrated Canada’s resurgence as a major UFC market, the man who helped build it into one was nowhere to be found. But White’s no-show wasn’t the night’s only head-scratcher.

Inside the Octagon, referee Dan Miragliotta found himself at the center of one of the strangest moments in recent UFC memory. During the lightweight bout between Kyle Nelson and Matt Frevola, chaos erupted with just three seconds left in the first round. Nelson had Frevola hurt badly, his head bouncing off the canvas as Miragliotta dove in, seemingly to stop the fight. Nelson raised his hands, thinking it was over. Even Daniel Cormier started walking in for the post-fight interview.

Then came the twist; Miragliotta suddenly waved them back. The fight wasn’t over. Frevola, dazed but standing, was told to continue. Confusion spread through Rogers Arena. UFC executive Hunter Campbell looked baffled at cageside, and moments later, Marc Ratner clarified on the broadcast that Miragliotta had seemingly heard the horn go off.  Replays, however, showed there were still three seconds left. Nelson went on to win by unanimous decision, but the incident left fans and fighters shaking their heads.

As such, UFC Vancouver proved two things: Canada’s passion for MMA is still unmatched, and even a near-perfect night can have its share of chaos. Despite Dana White’s mysterious absence and a referee blunder that left fans bewildered, the event delivered where it mattered most: energy, attendance, and dollars. The numbers don’t lie,  Vancouver outdrew most global markets and reaffirmed Canada’s spot among the UFC’s most profitable destinations.