Oh, Dana White’s dropping bombs again. This time, it’s about Conor McGregor’s big comeback. And guess what? It’s gonna smash records, setting the all-time high for gate receipts in Vegas. That’s right, the UFC’s head honcho spilled the beans, and we’re all ears.
So, McGregor’s squaring off against Michael Chandler. The venue? None other than the T-Mobile Arena, smack dab in the heart of Las Vegas. This showdown’s slated for June 29, marking the grand finale of International Fight Week. It’s been a hot minute since we’ve seen McGregor in the octagon—since July 2021, to be exact. And boy, are the fans ready. Tickets? Selling like hotcakes.
White, in his usual flair, didn’t hold back at the UFC on ESPN 56 post-fight presser. “It’s already way over $20 million,” he declared. Let that sink in. We’re talking uncharted territory for the UFC, folks. Previously, they hadn’t even dreamt of crossing the $20 million mark at the gates. But McGregor? He’s no stranger to shattering records.
Remember UFC 205? Madison Square Garden, New York—McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez. That night, history was made with a gate of $17.7 million. McGregor walked away with the lightweight title, and the UFC set a new benchmark. Fast forward to UFC 229, and McGregor’s bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov raked in $17.1 million, snagging the second spot in the UFC’s hall of fame for gates.
And let’s not forget UFC 300. That event pulled in a cool $16.5 million, landing the third spot on the list. Now, with UFC 303 on the horizon, ticket prices are through the roof. We’re talking VIP packages that’ll set you back more than $12,000. Yep, you heard that right. So, it’s no wonder this event’s on track to break the bank.