Jake Paul’s Promotion Shatters Dana White’s Dreams of Hosting First Combat Sports Event at Las Vegas Sphere

Costing around $2.3 billion, the ‘Sphere’, is a roughly 18,600-seat arena. It opened last year on September 29 with a show by Ireland’s iconic rock band U2. It is basically meant for music and entertainment. However, the venue can reportedly host other indoor sporting events as well. It includes combat sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts. Some may say a race of sorts was on. Which fighting sport would receive the honor of going first? As it appears now, under Jake Paul and his Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), boxing might well be on its way to becoming the first combat sport to mark its appearance at the ‘Sphere’.

Initially, impressed with the place, Dana White reportedly appeared eager to air the ‘first live transmission’ out of the Sphere. However, as things unfold now, the UFC President might have to find some solace as a runner-up. Per the available news, the 2022 classic between Amanda Serrano, an MVP charge, and Katie Taylor may get a rematch. If the second installment makes it through, then it could reportedly take place at the ‘Sphere’.

Boxing at the Pole Position

“The Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano rematch is reportedly expected to take place at the Sphere in Las Vegas in early June,” wrote talkSPORT‘s Michael Benson. He further mentioned that it would be the first fighting event to be conducted at the $2.3 billion venue.

However, one of the followers who commented on the tweet didn’t sound so optimistic. They said, “Not the first event sir…there’s UFC 5 de mayo will be first.” But then on a happy note, another one wrote, “That would be insane! Definitely worth going to see it live.”

It was last year, while speaking at the ‘Pat McAfee Show’, Dana White reportedly said, “Over the last few weeks, I’ve become obsessed with the ‘Sphere’… I’am blown away by this venue… I want to do Mexican Independence Day next September….I want to do the first live transmission out of the Sphere. I’m telling you right now the space is incredible. I will put on the greatest live combat sports event anybody has ever seen.”

Undoubtedly, a UFC show would be a big-time winner at the ‘Sphere’. But first, fans might as well gear themselves up for another live thriller between two world-class boxers.

Can Jake Paul and a Rematch Do Wonders Again?

It was on April 30, 2022, that Bray, Country Wicklow-born Taylor defended her undisputed lightweight titles from Puerto Rican Amanda Serrano at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York. Interestingly, the fight entered history as the first match among women to headline a show at the MSG. According to several reports, the match was termed ‘the biggest women’s fight of all time’.

Serrano, who had joined the MVP stable roughly a year prior to the fight, subsequently moved on to become an undisputed champion in the featherweight division. Though pursuant to her sticking with the 12-round (each of 3 minutes) format, ‘The Real Deal’ had to part with her WBC belt. As a result, she is now a unified champion.

KT, on the other hand, finally became an undisputed light welterweight champion in November during the rematch with Chantelle Cameron. Incidentally, both Taylor and Serrano might have faced each other tentatively by May. However, the Puerto Rican champion pulled out on account of suffering from injuries.

So whether a second Taylor and Serrano match would be a similar draw as the first one, time alone will tell.

Read More: “I Was Kind of Turned Off”: Amanda Serrano and Jake Paul Relive Their First Memory of Meeting Each Other

What’s your take on the news and the venue? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

Also Read: Katie Taylor Trilogy: Chantelle Cameron Takes Drastic Step to Reclaim Her Throne