Madison Square Garden has seen so many events throughout its years. If that building could talk, oh, man, the stories it would tell.
For decades, it's been the WWE's de facto home arena whenever a show's been held in New York City and "The World's Most Famous Arena" has played host to WrestleMania three times, most recently the landmark WrestleMania XX in 2004. It's also been the host venue for so many noteworthy boxing matches, either in The Theater or the main hall, including Callum Walsh's fight this past Thursday.
MMA is a relatively new sport on Madison Square Garden's calendar events, only holding its first UFC event seven years ago this month after New York State finally legalized the sport following a 19-year ban. With the legalization, professional MMA was permitted in every US state.
Since MMA was legalized in New York with the 113-25 vote in the spring of 2016, MSG has been an annual tour stop on the UFC's calendar of events, with a gap year in 2020 thanks to COVID-19 safeguards preventing traditional arena shows from being held. The world's top MMA promotion sets foot in The Garden once again this Saturday.
30 years ago, the sports landscape in the United States consisted of baseball, football, basketball and hockey. As far as combat sports were concerned, boxing and kickboxing were all that existed. In November of 1993, a little combat sport that could, MMA, was introduced to the masses. The UFC's beginnings were humble, with limited distribution on television for pay-per-views. Nobody could have ever fathomed the behemoth that mixed martial arts would eventually become in the aftermath of UFC 1 on the night of Nov. 12, 1993 in Denver at the now-closed McNichol Sports Arena.
Thursday night boxing does not happen too often, but this Thursday will be an exception to the rule. For a weeknight affair, fans always hope that the card will be worth tuning into watch. Although the eyes of the sports world at-large will be focused on an NFL battle between the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears, the combat sports world will look toward New York City.
A packed weekend of competitive violence is bookended by events originating from The World's Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden. Thursday, 48 hours before the UFC takes over the main hall for UFC 295, The Theater serves as the setting for a night of action in the squared circle.
Tom Loeffler's 360 Promotions heads to The Big Apple later on this week and they'll bring a big show befitting of the greatest city in the world.
This weekend, the famed UFC Octagon makes its second stop this year in MMA's birthplace of Brazil and the second stop in Brazil since COVID-19 safeguards were lifted. Sao Paulo's Ibiarpuera Arena plays host to UFC Sao Paulo and the UFC Sao Paulo co-main event.
Atlantic City-based Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) heads down south for the penultimate card on its schedule of events. Tunica, Mississippi's Horseshoe Casino and Hotel serves as the host venue for CFFC 127.
After a light weekend of action in advance of the Halloween holiday last week, the month of November in combat sports kicks off with a full slate this weekend. It starts with ONE on Prime Video 16.
Bellator lightweight fighter Mansour Barnaoui (20-6) is being accused of domestic abuse by his girlfriend. According to the French gossip news outlet, AQABABE, the allegations were posted on social media on October 27th by his girlfriend whose name is given as Joanne.
