KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, is a major multi-purpose arena that has hosted high-profile NHL, NBA, and concert events, along with significant UFC cards. Located in downtown Buffalo on the city’s waterfront, the venue seats around 18,000 for combat sports and draws fans from across Western New York, nearby parts of Canada, and the broader Great Lakes region. Its size and regional reach make it an appealing Northeastern stop for the UFC outside the usual New York City and New Jersey markets.
The UFC’s signature event at KeyBank Center is UFC 210: Cormier vs. Johnson 2, which took place in April 2017 and featured a light heavyweight title rematch as well as key contender bouts. The event followed Buffalo’s earlier history with the promotion dating back to the pre-Zuffa era, completing a long-awaited return to the city. With strong attendance and a passionate local fan base, the arena demonstrated its viability as a destination for major combat sports events.
Three biggest fights at KeyBank Center
UFC 210: Cormier vs. Johnson 2 – Light heavyweight title (April 8, 2017)
Card highlights:
- Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony “Rumble” Johnson 2 (light heavyweight title)
- Chris Weidman vs. Gegard Mousasi
- Cynthia Calvillo vs. Pearl Gonzalez
- Thiago Alves vs. Patrick Côté
Cormier weathered Johnson’s early power and secured a rear-naked choke in the second round to retain his belt, prompting Johnson to announce his retirement in the cage. The win reinforced Cormier’s grip on the division and set the stage for future clashes with Jon Jones.
UFC 210: Weidman vs. Mousasi – pivotal middleweight bout
In the co-main event, former champion Chris Weidman faced Gegard Mousasi in a crucial middleweight clash. Mousasi earned a controversial second-round TKO after a sequence involving knees to the head and an initial pause by the referee, a result that impacted Weidman’s standing and boosted Mousasi’s profile in the weight class.
UFC 210 undercard standouts – Burgos vs. Rosa and Usman vs. Strickland
The undercard produced notable performances such as Shane Burgos vs. Charles Rosa and Kamaru Usman vs. Sean Strickland. Burgos vs. Rosa earned attention for its action, while Usman’s workmanlike win marked another step in his steady climb toward welterweight greatness, adding long-term significance to the Buffalo card.
Event listings, arena details, and ticket information for combat sports at the venue can be found on the KeyBank Center’s official website via the Buffalo Sabres’ and arena event portals. Fans seeking deeper analysis of UFC 210 and the careers of Cormier, Johnson, and Usman can consult MMASucka’s longform UFC coverage at https://mmasucka.com.
main image credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire