The UFC made a significant announcement recently, revealing an exciting partnership with OC VIBE Honda Center that will bring at least three events to Anaheim, California, over the next five years. The inaugural event, UFC 298, took place on February 17, 2024, at the Honda Center, and it was a night of record-breaking success for both the UFC and the arena.
UFC CEO Dana White shared some impressive numbers from UFC 298, with the pay-per-view event garnering a live gate of $7.26 million and hosting 18,186 attendees. White proudly proclaimed UFC 298 as the 'Highest grossing live event in arena history' and the 'highest grossing MMA event in California history.' This marked a significant milestone for the UFC, surpassing the success of their previous event at the same venue in 2022, UFC 270.
In the main event of UFC 298, Ilia Topuria of Germany stunned the crowd by dethroning long-time featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski with a knockout victory in the second round. The co-main event featured former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker securing a decision win over Paulo Costa.
Beyond just UFC events, the partnership between UFC and OC Live also includes commitments for at least three WWE events at the Honda Center through 2028. This collaboration between two powerhouse organizations showcases a new era of entertainment at the iconic venue in Orange County.
Bill Foltz, CEO of OC VIBE, expressed his enthusiasm for hosting UFC and WWE events at the Honda Center, highlighting the impact these electrifying experiences will have on the community. This collaboration aims to enhance the downtown experience in Orange County through a dynamic blend of entertainment, sports, and cultural events.
The success of UFC 298 follows in the footsteps of UFC 297, a record-breaking event held in January that set a Canadian live gate record and established a new benchmark at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. With the momentum from these historic events, the UFC is gearing up for its next pay-per-view extravaganza, UFC 299, scheduled for March 9 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The highly anticipated main event will feature bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley taking on Marlon Vera in a clash of titans, with the action streaming live on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
As the UFC continues to break records and captivate audiences worldwide, its strategic partnerships and commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment experiences demonstrate its position as a pioneering force in the realm of combat sports and live events.
