How Melbourne may soon land a mega UFC event as new partnership deal tipped for Victoria

A blockbuster UFC event may be coming to Melbourne as the world’s biggest fight club gets set to sign a new landmark partnership deal with Victoria.

Robert Whittaker of Australia is hit by Israel Adesanya of New Zealand as they compete during UFC 243 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Picture: Michael Dodge

Melbourne could soon land its first blockbuster UFC event since 2019, as the world’s biggest fight club prepares to sign a new landmark deal with Victoria.

Crown will on Wednesday announce an Australia-first partnership with UFC to make its Melbourne headquarters an official fan zone and entertainment hub.

With Melbourne holding the two biggest crowd records in the world for UFC events, the sport’s Australian boss also told the Herald Sun Australia’s sporting capital was in the frame for a long-awaited return to the Octagon.

Sydney and WA have stolen Melbourne’s thunder, snapping up UFC events and signing multi-years deals.

Melbourne has hosted UFC events three times before but not since a record crowd of 57,127 packed the Docklands stadium for Whittaker v Adesanya in 2019. Picture: Michael Dodge

But UFC vice-president Australia and New Zealand Peter Kloczko said Victoria might finally land a punch.

“We do have commitments but we also do have opportunities and there could be opportunity in either 2025 or 2026 to deliver a UFC event to Melbourne,” he said.

Mr Kloczko said Melbourne’s ability to stage a smaller UFC event at Rod Laver Arena or a blockbuster with more than 50,000 people at Marvel Stadium gave it unique bargaining power.

“Stars have to align for those big fights and if they do it’s good to know we have a roofed stadium in Melbourne we can plug in and play and deliver that event,” he said.

“We have commitments in NSW in terms of events schedules, UFC 305 in Perth is sponsored by Tourism Western Australia and we will be in constant dialogue with Visit Victoria and the government in Victoria.”

Crown will become Australia’s official “UFC Watch Party and After Party” venue across its Melbourne, Sydney and Perth resorts under the three year-deal as a hotel, “event experiences and entertainment partner”.

UFC 193 between Holly Holm and Ronda Rousey generated more than $100m in tourism revenue for Melbourne in 2015. Picture: Mark Stewart

It will see the Southbank precinct become Victoria’s official UFC fan hotel, with pay-per-view fights from all over the world screened and athlete and ambassador appearances.

Aussie UFC fighter Alexander Volkanovski will help officially announce the deal in Melbourne, which also includes access to premium UFC ticketing, hospitality and VIP experiences.

Crown Resorts chief executive Ciarán Carruthers said it was “a significant collaboration” that would give guests and members “exclusive, unforgettable UFC experiences”.

“By teaming up with the UFC, Crown is affirming its commitment to offering dynamic experiences that drive Australia’s tourism resurgence; drawing guests to our cities and to our Crown properties,” he said.

Melbourne has hosted UFC events three times previously but not since a record crowd of 57,127 packed the Docklands stadium for Whittaker v Adesanya in October 2019.

UFC 193 between Holly Holm and Ronda Rousey generated more than $100m in tourism revenue for Melbourne in 2015.

And 15,238 attended UFC 234 at Rod Laver Arena in February 2019.

Tourism WA this year announced a multi-year partnership with UFC that will see Perth host two blockbuster events, including UFC 305 at RAC Arena on August 18.

Originally published as How Melbourne may soon land a mega UFC event as new partnership deal tipped for Victoria