Spending More Than $70M to Compete With NBA, NASCAR, and NFL, Dana White Boasts About His Proud Achievement in Las Vegas

Numbers don’t lie. At the peak of the pandemic, when everything was at a standstill, the UFC was still churning out events.It seemed UFC president Dana White had beaten what the world governments and scientists had failed to do. As the world reeled from COVID symptoms, the devastating virus failed to make a dent in the UFC. And all credit rests with the promotion’s 70 million worth ambitious project.

UFC Apex hosted 72% of the events that UFC hosted in 2021. The number dropped a bit but still, the state of art facility hosted 50% of events under the UFC banner in 2022. Till June 2023, the Las Vegas property still accounted for 42% of all the UFC action going down this year. Why is there an obsession with the UFC Apex when the threat of COVID is nothing but a folklore of the past?

UFC Apex- a glorious opportunity or strategic plan of Dana White?

The story dates back to 2016 when Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel purchased the UFC and during a tour to UFC HQ, spotted a warehouse property nearby. On his suggestions, the $40 million worth of property, right across the MMA outfit’s HQ, was purchased. While the concrete plans were being chalked out for its purpose, the pandemic struck and it became the hub of all UFC action for the coming weeks.

The 130,000-square-foot building currently hosts live events and studio shows. UFC lynchpin shared the details of the recent additions to Apex on his Instagram handle.

For a warehouse to reach that capacity, it went through three phases of construction, shelling out $30 million. The immediate focus rested on Stage A- the 12,425 square foot primary space for fighting that includes LED screens on each wall to give fans a vivid experience. It also features a smaller Octagon that has produced fast-paced action and more finishes.

Following this, the UFC focused on building broadcasting facilities. The multi-purpose Stage B is suitable for studio shows, broadcasts, photoshoots, and breakout sessions. Lastly, Stage C- a 748 square feet space is used for intimate projects, such as photoshoots and interviews.

But how does UFC Apex separate UFC from the rest of its competition? The answer lies not in the increased efficiency or its cost-cutting attributes but in its own production and broadcasting outposts.

UFC Apex puts UFC in the league of NBA, NFL, MLB, and NASCAR

Stages B and C put the promotion in the likes of other major American leagues, such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB. While UFC is the latest entrant, it was only one of very few which could host events at their broadcast outposts during the pandemic. This helped UFC to pump $800 million in revenue in 2020.

“I’m not sure I can describe how beneficial it was, and on so many different levels,” noted UFC’s executive VP Craig Borsari. In addition, UFC Apex is renting out its property to other ventures, such as Discovery Channel. The returns of those $70 million that Dana White invested have been phenomenal and continue to be so.

Read More: “Exploiting People Desperate for Cash for Their Own Sick Entertainment”: Former International Boxing Champion Slams Slap Fighting League Owners Like Dana White

What do you think of this relatively unknown side of UFC Apex? Let us know in the comments below.

WATCH THIS STORY: Alexander Volkanovski’s Coach Reveals a Depressing Incident That Almost Led to the Retirement of the Great