The impressive growth of UFC and MMA in general over the last decade has brought the sport immense popularity worldwide. During the most recent expansion, the organization has announced the opening of a Vegas-based production facility, dubbed UFC Apex.
The newest facility features 130,000 feet of production and office space combined and will be used to host fights, produce high-resolution content and even hold non-UFC related events such as concerts and eSports tournaments.
The place for Apex was originally purchased in 2018, with renovations taking nearly a year. The time was used to turn the facility into one of the most modern of its type and the venue was finally opened for use in June 2019.
UFC Apex: An Ultra-Modern Facility for the Future
UFC Apex is an ultra-modern facility, designed to keep up with the time, allowing the organization to produce higher quality combat sports content than ever before. The arena space itself is easily adjustable for different types of events, while the IP-based control room set to be installed in 2020 should allow the organization to create 4K-resolution live productions from any location in the world.
The building, which was previously owned by gambling-related organization Scientific Games, was turned into the perfect staging area for UFC and will now be used to broadcast combats worldwide, with a special focus on the quickly expanding Chinese market, following the UFC’s recent partnership with Weibo.
The versatile arena itself was created with diversification in mind, allowing the owners to host and produce their own combat shows, but also rent it out to other organizations and form further strategic partnerships using the facility as one of its bargaining chips.
Dana White — The Genius Orchestrator Behind the Center’s Concept
The facility itself was originally thought of by none other than Dana White, the UFC’s visionary President. White, who led UFC from relative obscurity to the multibillion-dollar enterprise it is today, has been at the forefront of most innovations related to the organization, including the development of the new Vegas based arena.
Opening of such a thing in Vegas also has some side benefits, as Vegas is considered to be a central spot for gambling activities. Therefore it will definitely attract more people willing to bet on UFC and related events as opposed to other locations.
Dana White is well aware of betting importance for MMA promotion. Few know that UFC president is actually a gambler himself with the major hobby of playing blackjack in Vegas casinos. He even managed to make a few million-dollar profit during several years in Palms casino, despite the generally accepted opinion that it’s barely possible to win at the blackjack table in the long-term. After that, the casino decided to cut his credits being terrified of him dismantling the house.
Anyways, his vast gambling experience helps him in promoting UFC in terms of betting as well — he has some insight look at the issue.
In regards to UFC Apex itself, Dana said to the press that he believes it will be a big game-changer for combat sports as it will allow the organization to push the borders of possible in regards to the production of UFC content. This new step in the development of the UFC has also left the President reminiscent of the early days when UFC was a fledgling organization. According to his own words, not even he could have imagined the incredible rise of UFC and MMA as a sport worldwide.
What’s Next for UFC?
With UFC Apex now set up in the world’s gambling capital and the first events in it, such as the Contender Series, already underway, the future looks bright for UFC and the facility itself. With this and other innovations brought recently, the organization’s plans seem greater than ever and increase its international influence worldwide. Dana White, as the major driving force behind the success of UFC, remains adamant about continuing to grow the company and push it on as the world’s most prominent combat sports organization.
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