UFC fans rage over ticket ‘shambles’ at Rod Laver Arena

Frustrated UFC fans have feuded with ticket staff at Rod Laver Arena, slamming the ticketing process as “a shambles” and a “rip-off”. But the withdrawal of middleweight champ Robert Whittaker didn’t deter celebs from turning out in force ringside.

Frustrated UFC fans have feuded with ticket staff at Rod Laver Arena, slamming the ticketing process as “a shambles” and a “rip-off”.

People looking for a refund after the withdrawal of middleweight champ Robert Whittaker were turned away.

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The middleweight champion was reportedly diagnosed with a hernia in his abdomen late on Saturday night and announced his headline bout against Kelvin Gastelum would be off.

Meanwhile, the last-minute cancellation didn’t deter celebs from turning out in force to check out the action, with Chris Hemsworth and his actor wife Elsa Pataky spotted ringside.

They were accompanied by good mate and Hollywood star Matt Damon, along with his wife Luciana Barroso.

Chris Hemsworth and wife Elsa Pataky react while watching the UFC 234 undercard fight between Teruto Ishihara and Kyung Ho Kang. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

Chris Hemsworth sits ringside at the UFC234 at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Hollywood actor Matt Damon gestures as he sits ringside at the event. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

But for disappointed ticketholders, a voiceover message announced they would have to log on to the Ticketek website Monday morning, saying tickets which had already been scanned were ineligible for a refund.

The event sold out in 10 minutes in December, and more seats in the upper tier were released through the Ticketek website last week for $100.

Tickets in the same section were being sold at the door on Sunday afternoon for $190.

Steve O’Sullivan said he and a group of mates were trying to sit in the same area but it was $90 extra for those buying their ticket at the gate.

UFC Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker was forced to cancel his headline bout. Picture: Juan Cardenas/UFCANZ

Ricky Simon of the United States punches Rani Yahya of Brazil during their bloody bout. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“It’s a dog act,” he said. “There’s already a lot of people that won’t be going because of Whittaker. It seems a bit rich to have these different prices.”

Several people outside the venue said they had been duped by resale website Viagogo.

Jason Denny from Adelaide paid $750 for a ticket through Viagogo just before Christmas.

He was told by staff it was clearly a fake because the barcode was on the wrong side of the ticket and there were not enough numbers.

He said the website was a “disgrace”.

Lando Vannata of the United States punches Marcos Mariano of Brazil during their lightweight bout. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Sam Alvey and Jimmy Crute fight during their light heavyweight bout. Picture: AP Photo/Andy Brownbill

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Matthew Williams and his two friends bought tickets through Viagogo for $490 each, marked up from $130 sale price.

They flew down from Sydney for the event only to find their ticket came up listed as “cancelled” when they tried to scan in.

Mr Williams claimed staff were unhelpful and laughed at them.

“It’s a shambles,” he said. “We’ve been screwed over and the staff are just laughing at us.

“We’ve come down for what we thought would be a good weekend. It’s s---, it’s a complete rip-off.

“We’ll try to get a refund but we probably won’t, we can’t get hold of anyone at the Viagogo website.”