UFC President Dana White Declares “Salt Lake City a Destination”
By Johnny McKeon, IHeart Media Salt Lake
SALT LAKE CITY — On August 20th, 2022, at four minutes and four seconds in the final round of the five-round fight, Leon Edwards changed history for the UFC and the state of Utah. Edwards landed a devastating head kick to the defending Champion, Kamaru Usman, after throwing a one-two punch to setup the shot at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in front 18,000 screaming fans and millions at home watching.
“Hope you didn't leave the arena early, as in with a minute left in what looked like a ‘lopsided’ Usman win,” Dana White, UFC President says. “That’s the beauty of the sport.”
Leon Edwards halted history by ending the Nigerian Nightmare's 16-match winning streak and longest active winning streak in the UFC. Edwards not only knocked out Usman but added to the new welterweight champion's now 11 match reign Saturday night in front of a massive sold-out crowd at Vivint Arena.
Rewind a month to June 21st, to the press conference announcing UFC 278, the first pay-per-view event hosted in Salt Lake City. Why did White choose Salt Lake City for such an historic event? “Salt Lake City is a destination,” White says. A hint of what is to come.
"The crowd was incredible tonight,” White says referring to the turnout at Vivint Smart Home Arena. “You can put this crowd up there with anybody tonight. They were fired up; they were into it. The arena was 60% full at the first fight of the night."
The fighters agreed.
"Salt Lake City people are amazing," said Paulo Costa, after sending middleweight Legend Luke Rockhold into retirement with a unanimous decision victory. "The atmosphere in the arena was so intense. I could feel the good energy when I came here; I heard the people very loud, every single fight.
"When I was getting into the arena, I felt the energy,” Costa says. “It felt great. To me, it's very special. I think this sport needs this audience as part of the sport. I like this energy, and I hope to always fight with an audience of people like the one from Salt Lake City."
Utah, or the vast reach of the sport, has clearly changed since the first UFC Fight Night that occurred over six years ago in Salt Lake City. That event underperformed, drawing in only 6,689 fans.
August 20th proved just how far the sport has reached across Utah boasting a sellout crowd at Vivint Arena of over 18,324 tickets.
The UFC organization also made history on August 20th with their record 23rd consecutive sold-out Arena. The event grossed just under $4.3 million in revenue, a new record for Vivint Smart Home Arena.
I asked Dana White with the success of tonight, how soon would the UFC return to Vivint Arena?
"Probably next year," White said.
"As in, 2023?"
"Yeah," he replied.
See the Video of the Interaction Below
Hear my interview with Dana White from the First UFC 278 Press Conference
UFC® 279: CHIMAEV vs. DIAZ takes place at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, Sept. 10, with the main card at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ PPV. The prelims will be seen on ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with the night’s action starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT with Early Prelims on ESPN+ (English and Spanish) and UFC Fight Pass.