It’s not really a race between Top Rank and the UFC – or is it?
According to an ESPN report Wednesday, the Bob Arum-fronted boxing promotion is angling to hold Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder 3 at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 19. Top Ranked has reserved the date with the venue.
Oh, there possibly could be fans in attendance, pending regulations. But what about the UFC? Will it be willing to round up its big stars to put on a spectacle event before boxing beats it to the punch (pun intended)?
I don’t think it’s out of the question considering UFC president Dana White’s pride in having his company largely built on Las Vegas soil. It might genuinely mean something to him to be the first to hold fights in the city’s shiny new stadium that the Raiders call home.
Something to not be glossed over – the rivalry between Arum and White is real. It always has been, and it seemingly always will be. At the start of the pandemic, Arum criticized White’s promoting of events. Weeks later, he promoted events of his own. Unsurprisingly, White didn’t hold back when asked about Arum in May.
Top Rank is looking to upgrade Tyson Fury vs. Deontary Wilder 3 from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports)
In the past, White has said he’s not going to half-ass attendance. It’s either a full arena (or stadium) or nothing at all. But this could potentially change things, in my opinion. There’s a reason to settle for a compromised amount of fans – if that’s an option.
If the interest is there from the promotion’s side, and it’s a feasible idea, further questions are posed. Who will the UFC want to have headline? Could we see a reemergence of Conor McGregor from a so-called retirement? Is Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa a big enough fight? Or would the UFC have to pull off something crazy, like, “Hey, Brock, I know we haven’t talked in a while, but…”?
The future remains to be seen, and I’m sure White will be asked about this at his next press conference. For now, however, at minimum, I think it’s safe to say Top Rank has the UFC thinking about ways to be first.
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Will Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder 3 beat the UFC to Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium?
