UFC's Marc Ratner: Guadalajara event still in plans after 'arena wasn't quite ready'
It was originally announced that the third-annual Noche UFC event to celebrated Mexican Independence Day would, for the first time, take place in Mexico. The card was set for Sept. 13 in Guadalajara, but it was subsequently shifted to San Antonio, Texas, where the card headlined by Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva will now unfold.
Although things didn't go according to plan this time, UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner admits returning to the city and venue in the future remains a priority.
"Guadalajara is still in our plans," Ratner told MMA Junkie Radio in a recent interview. "The arena wasn't quite ready yet. The roof and stuff needed more work and we couldn't go there without having everything really done. I think you will see it. Maybe not this year, but we'll go back there. We want to go back there."
The UFC's first Noche UFC event in 2023 went down at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It levelled up in 2024, with the card taking place at Sphere in Las Vegas in one of the most elaborately-produced events in UFC history.
Ratner said a return to Sphere is not currently in consideration and, as UFC CEO Dana White said previously, it was likely a one-off.
"I have heard no rumblings (of another Sphere show)," Ratner said. "It was a very expensive show. Was over $20 million spent on all the production and stuff. It was a huge success. I loved being involved there and being there. Whether we go back I don't have that answer, but so far no rumblings."
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