Las Vegas Arena project; space is scheduled to open in 2016. Photo: Disclosure
The city of Las Vegas (USA) will receive a new sports plaza in 2016. The very modern “Las Vegas Arena” gymnasium, an initiative of the group that manages the “MGM Grand Garden” hotel and casino, will cost around US$375 million (around R$840 million), will be built in an area of 650 thousand square meters and estimated capacity for more than 20 thousand people. Despite the threat that boxing event promoter Golden Boy, which also manages the career of star Floyd Mayweather Jr., may have priority in the new arena, Dana White guaranteed that a UFC card will mark the opening of the space.
“MGM has already promised me the first available date. I don’t care what Richard Schaefer (president of Golden Boy Promotions) says”, said the Ultimate president to the “MMA Junkie” website. “It has been said for a long time that Las Vegas needs a new sports arena. It will not only be beneficial for the UFC, but for all other events that will come here. I think people still don't realize what it will represent for the city, and how much it will change the landscape of sporting events here. It will be good for the fans, for the promoters and, of course, for the city. If there's one thing Las Vegas needs, it's a state-of-the-art sports arena. Technology has been advancing at an incredible pace. Access to the internet and the production of shows are now of fundamental importance so that we can hold an event of impeccable quality. I have been to practically every top arena in the entire world, and if the plans I have seen for this arena come to fruition, it will leave all others behind,” he added.
When talking about the new sports plaza, Dana stated that the space will expand the number of dates available for the UFC in Las Vegas. The director also revealed that the MGM Grand Garden and Mandalay Bay, current Ultimate destinations in the city, should continue to receive cards. “The arena will definitely open more dates for the UFC in Las Vegas. We will maintain the routine of being at MGM or Mandalay Bay, but the new arena will bring new technological and promotional possibilities. It will be a game changer,” he concluded.
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