They're back!
Rumours have been swirling recently that the juggernaut that is the UFC, will be returning to the most isolated city in the world in July 2024.
UFC fighter Jack Jenkins, with an appearance on the 'Who The Fook Are These Guys' podcast added fuel to the fire stating there had been "whispers" that the biggest show in combat sports could return mid year.
The UFC last appeared in Perth at RAC arena in February of 2023, for UFC 284, which saw Australian Alexander Volkanovski, the 145lb champ, take on Islam Makhachev for the lightweight crown. He would ultimately fall short in front of the SOLD OUT attendance of 14,124, pulling in a gate of $4,086,687.70. Not to mention the projected 50 million dollar boost to the local economy.
The UFC historically makes 2 trips to Australia a year. from 2010-2019, the UFC made 15 appearances down under, with 2023 no different. UFC 293 took place at Qudos Bank Arena, in September 2023, attracting an official 18,168 people and generating a $6.8M gate.
That, along with an announcement made by NSW premiere Chris Minns, back in May 2023, that would see a deal between NSW Tourism & the UFC strike up 3 events over 4 years.
Of course there are conflicting reports of where the UFC will take place, with sources saying the UFC is set for both Perth in July and Sydney in September.
Perth has been a hotbed for combat sports lately with the announcement of a boxing super fight with Aussie, George Kambosos Jr taking on Vasiliy Lomachenko on May 12th, 2024 for the IBF world title.
If you take Jenkins' comments and other industry insiders word as gospel, and a likely UFC event does take place in July. Here are some dates we think it could be, based on already booked events.
With July 13th at RAC arena out (West Coast Fever vs Melbourne Mavericks scheduled) that leaves the 7th, 21st and 28th of July available. Note that although the UFC is regularly carried out on a Sunday morning, they do typically like the day before for weigh-ins among other festivities.
As much as we as fans might like to see it, i'd bet the UFC aren't yet ready to gamble on a 30,000 seat stadium show out west. It also being peak AFL season, finding a date could prove difficult.
If you're a Perthian worried Sydney might steal your July event, well it seems the place to be for the UFC is Qudos Bank Arena and they are booked out on July 7th & July 28th.
July is also peak winter for Australia, so It seems to be an interesting date picked for the UFC. Also keep in mind, these are just currently just rumours 👀 .
If i had to wager a bet i'd say the UFC returns July 7th 2024 at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.
But hey, i'm just a mere kinda MMA journalist...
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