The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the fastest-growing organization in the world of mixed martial arts. With its continued expansion and a network deal with Fox, the UFC is constantly seeking new venues and markets. While arenas have been the traditional choice, the idea of hosting UFC events in football stadiums has been floated, offering the potential for massive attendance and a unique spectacle. However, UFC CEO Dana White remains uninterested in doing stadium shows.
Dana White, CEO of UFC
Let's explore some of the most famous venues that have never hosted a UFC event but could potentially offer an awesome experience.
Potential Stadium Venues
Several venues stand out due to their size and iconic status, making them potential candidates for hosting UFC events.
Ohio Stadium
Built in 1922, Ohio Stadium, also known as the Horseshoe, has a single-game attendance record of over 106,000 people. For a UFC event, a significant portion of the field could be filled with seats, accommodating thousands of additional fans. Ohio has already shown strong support for UFC, with UFC 82 drawing 16,431 attendees and UFC 96 attracting 17,033. Current fighters from Ohio like Rich Franklin, Forrest Griffin, Matt Brown, and Mac Danzig could be great additions to a fight card at this venue.
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Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium, also known as the Big House, has a college football seating capacity of 109,901. Similar to Ohio Stadium, additional seating on the field could increase capacity for a UFC event. UFC 123 drew a crowd of 16,404 to the Palace of Auburn Hills, a number that could be easily surpassed at Michigan Stadium. Rashad Evans, who wrestled at Michigan State, would be a notable addition to a fight card here.
Lambeau Field
Lambeau Field, the legendary home of the Green Bay Packers, makes the list due to its rich history. However, its suitability is limited by the weather, as the average temperature in Green Bay is above 60 degrees for only five months of the year. While football players may tolerate the cold, UFC fighters might not. Anthony Pettis and Ben Rothwell are current fighters from Wisconsin who could be featured on a fight card at Lambeau Field.
Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers
Louisiana Superdome
The Louisiana Superdome, a historic landmark that has hosted six Super Bowls, has a capacity of 76,468. With the UFC making a return to Louisiana for UFC Fight Night - Shields vs. Ellenberger, a large attendance combined with a great night of fights could spark interest in bringing the UFC to this dome. Melvin Guillard and Pat Barry are current fighters from Louisiana who would be great additions to a fight card.
Fenway Park
Fenway Park, located in Boston, is one of the country's most recognizable venues. As the home of the Boston Red Sox for 99 years, this 37,493 capacity ballpark is a dream location for UFC president Dana White, who is from Boston. When MMA was regulated in Massachusetts in November 2009, White quickly organized UFC 118 at the TD Garden, which was attended by 14,168 people. Fenway Park could offer an even bigger and more famous venue for UFC events. Current fighters from Massachusetts like Kenny Florian and Joe Lauzon could be featured.
Cowboys Stadium
Cowboys Stadium, home to "America's Team," has a standing-room capacity of 110,000. With a retractable roof and a massive 2100-inch video screen, it would provide an amazing experience for fans. Even those in the upper levels could easily watch the fights on the world's largest video monitor. Joseph Benavidez, Leonard Garcia, and Nik Lentz are current fighters from Texas who could be added to a fight card at Cowboys Stadium.
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium gets high billing due to the fame of its predecessor. Once MMA is regulated in New York, this 54,251 capacity ballpark will be one of the most amazing places in the world to watch a fight. Chris Weidman, Amir Sadollah, and Matt Serra are some current fighters from New York who would make great additions to a fight card.
The Rose Bowl
The Rose Bowl, with a record attendance of 106,869 and warm California temperatures year-round, is an ideal place for almost any sporting event. It has hosted numerous significant events, including the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics and the 1994 men's and 1999 Women's World Cup Finals. Cain Velasquez, Nick Diaz, and Urijah Faber are current fighters from California who could be featured.
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, known as "The World's Most Famous Arena," is a prime location for the first UFC event in New York once MMA is regulated in the state. With a capacity of 22,292, this arena is the most famous athletic complex in the most famous city in the world.
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UFC in Stadiums: A Reality?
While the potential for hosting UFC events in stadiums is enticing, there have been only a few instances where it has come to fruition. One notable example is UFC 193: Lawler vs. Condit, which took place at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium (now Marvel Stadium) in Australia. This event drew a massive crowd and showcased the potential for large-scale UFC events in stadium settings.
UFC 193: Lawler vs. Condit at Etihad Stadium
UFC 193 featured a welterweight championship bout between Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit, attracting over 70,000 fans. The event highlighted the immense popularity of UFC in Australia and the potential for future stadium shows.
Dana White's Preference for Arenas
Despite the success of UFC 193 and the potential for high attendance at stadium events, UFC CEO Dana White has expressed a preference for arenas. He believes that arenas provide a better atmosphere and energy for the fans. After attending WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, White stated, "No, nothing will change my mind about a stadium show. I am not a fan of stadiums. I like arenas."
White's stance suggests that while stadium shows might occur occasionally, arenas will likely remain the primary venue for UFC events due to the preferred atmosphere and fan experience.
Table of Potential Stadium Venues
| Stadium | Location | Capacity | Potential UFC Fighters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Stadium | Ohio | 106,000+ | Rich Franklin, Forrest Griffin, Matt Brown, Mac Danzig |
| Michigan Stadium | Michigan | 109,901+ | Rashad Evans |
| Lambeau Field | Wisconsin | 81,441 | Anthony Pettis, Ben Rothwell |
| Louisiana Superdome | Louisiana | 76,468 | Melvin Guillard, Pat Barry |
| Fenway Park | Boston | 37,493 | Kenny Florian, Joe Lauzon |
| Cowboys Stadium | Texas | 110,000 | Joseph Benavidez, Leonard Garcia, Nik Lentz |
| Yankee Stadium | New York | 54,251 | Chris Weidman, Amir Sadollah, Matt Serra |
| The Rose Bowl | California | 106,869 | Cain Velasquez, Nick Diaz, Urijah Faber |
| Madison Square Garden | New York | 22,292 | N/A |
In conclusion, while several football stadiums offer the potential for hosting large-scale UFC events, Dana White's preference for arenas suggests that these venues will remain the primary choice for UFC events. However, occasional stadium shows, like UFC 193, demonstrate the potential for unique and massive UFC events in the future.