Madison Square Garden, “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” carries a historical weight that few venues in combat sports can match, and that legacy extends directly into the UFC’s expansion into New York. Since regulations changed to allow MMA in the state, the Garden has become a showcase for championship doubleheaders, super-fights, and anniversary cards that deliberately lean into the building’s storied reputation. The combination of Manhattan location, celebrity-heavy crowds, and globally accessible media market makes MSG one of the promotion’s flagship homes outside Las Vegas.
The UFC’s first trip to MSG with UFC 205 in 2016, headlined by Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez, set the tone by delivering multiple title fights and a record live gate. Subsequent visits have included landmark heavyweight and middleweight bouts, as well as cards like UFC 217 and UFC 268 that routinely top “best event” lists for depth and drama. Recent and future cards such as UFC 309 and UFC 322 keep MSG firmly entrenched as the East Coast epicenter for the promotion’s biggest storylines.
Three biggest fights at Madison Square Garden
UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor (November 12, 2016)
Card highlights
- Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor (lightweight title)
- Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson (welterweight title)
- Joanna Jędrzejczyk vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (strawweight title)
- Yoel Romero vs. Chris Weidman
- Miesha Tate vs. Raquel Pennington
McGregor produced a masterclass in striking to earn a second-round TKO and become the first simultaneous two-division UFC champion, while the Woodley–Thompson draw and Romero’s flying-knee knockout added layers to an already historic night.
UFC 217: Bisping vs. St-Pierre (November 4, 2017)
Card highlights
- Michael Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre (middleweight title)
- Cody Garbrandt vs. T.J. Dillashaw (bantamweight title)
- Joanna Jędrzejczyk vs. Rose Namajunas (strawweight title)
- Stephen Thompson vs. Jorge Masvidal
St-Pierre returned from a lengthy layoff to choke out Bisping and win the middleweight belt, Dillashaw reclaimed gold with a knockout of Garbrandt, and Namajunas shocked Jędrzejczyk with a first-round stoppage in one of the sport’s great upsets.
UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic (November 16, 2024)
Card highlight
Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic (heavyweight title) as a marquee legacy clash between two of the division’s most accomplished champions. Jones secured a victory over Miocic to strengthen his claim as the greatest heavyweight and pound-for-pound fighter in UFC history, turning another Garden main event into a career-defining chapter.
Tickets, arena information, and event listings for UFC nights at MSG are available via the Madison Square Garden’s official site.