It seems like Dana White wasn’t joking when he said he was going to put on the greatest live combat sports show ever with his UFC 306 at the Sphere undertaking. Besides putting up a pay-per-view to pay tribute to the Mexican Independence Day, the UFC CEO has also planned something special for the fans when they arrive at the $2.3 billion Sphere.

A stacked Mexican card might be enough for the Mexican fans to come in and watch UFC 306. But is that everything that Dana White has in store for fans? Well, not just because hosting a one-and-done Sphere event won’t be enough to suffice the occasion of the Mexican Independence Day. So what does the UFC CEO do? Well, he’s set up a hologram for fans to interact with.

Dana White will put up life-size Proto holograms at UFC 306

UFC 306 will have fans interact with not just Dana White but also with the UFC stars through the Proto hologram machine. It’s a first in the promotion since nothing like this has ever been attempted by the UFC in all its years of existence. For context, Proto is currently the only company that can make such machines and it will collaborate for the first time with a sporting promotion on September 14 with the UFC.

“We’re absolutely fired up to see Proto holograms at Sphere for the first time ever at Noche UFC. UFC is known for delivering unforgettable experiences, and now, with our cutting-edge hologram technology, fans will have a mind-blowing chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with their favorite fighters and even Dana White himself,” the CEO of Proto Inc., David Nussbaum, stated.

UFC 306, will not only give us great fights, but it will also make use of all the video and audio capabilities of the Sphere in Las Vegas, which has been one of the most talked about venues and structures since its inception back in late 2023. However, the UFC hasn’t yet revealed the fighters who’ll be on those holograms to interact with the fans, but Dana White revealed recently what kind of challenges he faced when he was looking to put on this show.

The UFC CEO’s biggest setback in making the Sphere event happen

In typical Dana White fashion, he’s taken on a challenge that no other promoter has ever faced in the world of combat sports: hosting a UFC event at the futuristic Sphere in Las Vegas. Unlike traditional venues designed for sports or concerts, The Sphere is built for immersive experiences, with seating on only one side and no overhead lighting grid—an essential feature for boxing, WWE, and UFC events that usually helps to create the dramatic atmosphere fight fans love.

This lighting dilemma, however, hasn’t phased White. “There’s no lighting grid. So, this will be the first event ever in the history of the company… where there isn’t a lighting grid hanging over the Octagon,” Dana admitted during the DWCS press conference. For many, that would be a deal-breaker, but not for White. Instead, he’s leaning into the innovation, confident that his team will pull off an unforgettable spectacle.

To make up for the lack of a lighting grid, White is rolling out holograms—a groundbreaking move for UFC 306. The Sphere, known for its cutting-edge technology, will allow for the kind of visual effects that fans have never seen before in an MMA event. It’s the kind of bold move that could either set a new standard for live sports or turn into an unpredictable gamble. Either way, White and the UFC are making history.

What do you think of Dana White’s decision to use holograms at UFC 306? Is it the future of fight entertainment or just a risky gimmick? Let us know in the comments below!