We are just two days away from witnessing Dana White‘s highly ambitious UFC event, UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche, taking place during Mexican Independence Week. The event will be held at Sands Ave, Las Vegas, and is already hailed as the UFC’s most expensive production to date, with costs exceeding $20 million. The UFC head honcho even crowned this event as a “game changer” in the world of sports, thanks to its vibrant, colorful venue that seamlessly blends entertainment, art, and sports, housed in a massive 160,000-square-foot screen-covered sphere.

However, one thing that has left fans scratching their heads is the question: What exactly is the use of this enormous screen? Will the fights be broadcast outside the arena for those who couldn’t get tickets? Well, we might just have the answer for you.

What is on the outside of the Sphere? Will UFC 306 fights be televised live?

The Sphere is not just an ordinary brick-and-steel structure; it’s a $2.3 billion cutting-edge technological marvel brought to life by the team behind Madison Square Garden and the Populous design firm. Its journey began last year with the launch of its “Postcard from Earth”, a film designed specifically for the Sphere’s high-tech environment. Now, it’s setting the stage for UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche. The exterior of the Sphere is covered in curved LEDs that captivate onlookers throughout the city, especially at night when it glows with a mesmerizing, shape-shifting display. Even Dana White can’t resist calling it the “star of the show.”

Before the start of the event, it was uncertain whether the broadcast of the event live would happen, as it had only been used for promotional purposes earlier. However, we now know that the UFC is indeed showcasing replays on the outside of The Sphere.

Meanwhile, It’s not just the jaw-dropping interior and exterior LED displays that make UFC 306 a spectacle; the sound system is equally impressive. It enhances the fan experience throughout the arena, ensuring that no matter where you’re standing or sitting among the 20,000-strong crowd, you’ll enjoy a stellar sonic experience. This sensory marvel adds a diamond-like touch to the UFC event, which could not have come to fruition without Dana White’s influence. His vision led TKO’s director to believe in an evergreen plan for his groundbreaking event.

UFC and Dana White’s plans for the Sphere

Last year, when Dana White expressed his desire to organize a UFC event in an external space and convert it into a replica of the Sphere rather than using an arena, his team was skeptical and suggested scrapping the idea to save money, recommending that the event be held at the UFC headquarters instead. However, White, known for his uncompromising business ethics, within a week, laid out the blueprint for the most expensive sports event in UFC history. Even White himself acknowledged the significance of his actions.

In an interview with Forbes, he disclosed his plan, saying, “This is a completely different animal than anything we’ve ever done. I knew this wasn’t going to be cheap, but I literally said I don’t [care] what this costs. This is, on Mexican Independence Day, my love letter to the Mexican people.”

However, White did not shy away from acknowledging that the event was not solely for the purpose of celebrating Mexican Independence; profitability was also a key factor. White further revealed, “Sometimes you’ll make an investment that financially doesn’t pencil out, but long term it ends up delivering all kinds of upside, and that’s really the logic and rationale behind our strategy with the Sphere event.”

As the event approaches, we know it’s hard to contain the excitement. We certainly hope that the LED screen outside the Sphere will be used to broadcast UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below.