The UFC set a new live gate record at the UFC St. Louis event with 15,960 fans attending and a gate of $2.47 million. This surpassed the previous record set at the UFC Austin event in December. Headlining the St. Louis card was a heavyweight bout between Derrick Lewis and Rodrigo Nascimento, with Lewis achieving a knockout victory in the third round. The co-main event featured Joaquin Buckley, who secured a decision win in his welterweight fight. This event marked Buckley’s first time fighting in his hometown of St. Louis as a UFC fighter.
The last time the UFC held an event at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis was in January 2018, known then as the Scottrade Center, with a significantly smaller attendance of 10,052 and a gate of $812,995. This time around, the increased turnout and gate revenue were a testament to the continued popularity and growth of the sport. Lewis’s victory at UFC St. Louis marked a bounce-back performance for him following a previous loss to Jailton Almeida. With this win, Lewis improved his career record to 28-12-0-1, while Nascimento’s loss brought an end to his four-fight unbeaten streak.
The event took place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, with ESPN broadcasting the main card following preliminary bouts on ESPN+. This weekend, the UFC is set to return to the UFC Apex for UFC Vegas 92, headlined by a featherweight bout between Edson Barboza and Lerone Murphy. With exciting matchups and rising stars in the MMA world, fans can expect more thrilling fights to come in the UFC’s lineup. Additionally, ongoing developments in the sport, such as early betting odds for future events and offers for high-profile matchups, indicate a continued momentum in the world of mixed martial arts.
As the UFC continues to break live gate records and draw larger crowds, the organization’s appeal and reach are expanding. The success of events like UFC St. Louis demonstrates the continued interest and support for the sport among fans worldwide. With fighters like Derrick Lewis and Joaquin Buckley delivering impressive performances, fans can look forward to more exciting matchups and memorable moments in the octagon. As the MMA landscape evolves and new stars emerge, the UFC remains at the forefront of the sport, showcasing top-tier talent and thrilling fights for audiences everywhere.
