Dana White: record crowd in Abu Dhabi – and a 'very unique' event in the works
After UFC 333 the UFC president reported record attendance and gate figures. For Yan, the matchmakers spent the night discussing Song Yadong and Sean O'Malley.
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UFC 333 at Etihad Arena drew the highest attendance of any UFC event in Abu Dhabi and a record gate for Etihad Arena, according to Dana White. More than half of the crowd travelled from abroad, the UFC president said at the post-fight press conference. He did not give exact figures.
White also teased a new project: "We're working on an event right now that will be very unique and people from all over the world will want to come see." He said he had seen first renderings before flying to Abu Dhabi and expects to announce it soon. He did not reveal a location, date or format.
On bantamweight, White said he and the matchmakers were texting "the entire night" about Song Yadong and Sean O'Malley as the next opponents for champion Petr Yan. Merab Dvalishvili apologised to him after his loss – according to UFC.com, White rejected that, saying Dvalishvili had nothing to be disappointed about after this fight.