The Noche UFC concept, which took place on Mexican Independence Day, was a major success despite its controversial main event. UFC Fight Night 227 was designed to celebrate athletes of Mexican heritage, including flyweight champion Alexa Grasso, who retained her title after battling Valentina Shevchenko to a split draw in the evening’s headliner. UFC CEO Dana White was not in attendance, but he praised the event’s performance on ESPN+ during a post-fight press conference for the Contender Series on Tuesday. He also announced plans to make UFC events on Mexican Independence Day an annual tradition, following in the footsteps of boxing.
UFC’s Commitment to Mexico
White expressed his dedication to making this annual tradition a reality, even if it meant going head-to-head with other events in the same town. “I don’t care if somebody here in town gets the date at the arena, I’ll go in an opposing arena and go head-to-head with them next year,” White said. “I’m doing this for the rest of my reign here.” He emphasized the massive success of the event, stating, “This is something that I’ve been thinking about since the day we bought this company. So, we’re finally in the position. I’m all in. All my chips are in on Mexico.”
Future Plans for UFC in Mexico
White also mentioned the millions of dollars the UFC has invested in the Performance Institute (P.I.) in Mexico, emphasizing their commitment to the country. During the UFC Fight Night 227 broadcast, it was announced that the promotion is targeting a return to Mexico in 2024, although an exact date was not confirmed. The last time the UFC held an event south of the border was in September 2019, headlined by Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens.
In conclusion, the Noche UFC concept was a resounding success and the UFC is committed to making it an annual tradition on Mexican Independence Day. With the promotion’s investment in Mexico and plans for future events, it’s clear that the UFC is “all in” on the country.