It’s official: T-Mobile go-to venue for UFC

Fight organization, arena reach anchor tenant partnership pact

T-Mobile Arena already had become the go-to venue for UFC events in Las Vegas. On Friday, it became official. AEG and MGM Resorts, the operators of T-Mobile Arena, announced that the UFC will be an anchor tenant.

The partnership, which extends for “more than seven years,” according to a source familiar with the deal, establishes the year-old venue as the UFC’s exclusive arena destination in Las Vegas and gives the UFC priority scheduling with the other anchor tenant, the NHL’s Golden Knights.

“Las Vegas has always been the home of UFC, and after more than a decade, it is awesome to now have a historic venue deal in the Fight Capital of the World to make it official,” UFC president Dana White said in a statement.

The agreement calls for the UFC to hold at least four events per year at T-Mobile Arena and have a permanent presence at the venue, including a welcome sign in the lobby, concourse signage and retail space.

“We have enjoyed a tremendous partnership with UFC for many years and are excited to enter into this exclusive agreement at T-Mobile Arena, a first for the industry,” MGM Resorts president Bill Hornbuckle said in a statement. “While UFC calls Las Vegas home, there are few brands as powerful globally.”

The UFC will host its fourth major card at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday when UFC 209 is headlined by a welterweight rematch between Stephen Thompson and champion Tyron Woodley. UFC 200, UFC 202 and UFC 207 also were at T-Mobile Arena in 2016.