“It’s Just Preference”.- Big John McCarthy Explains The UFC’s Decision To Use A Smaller Cage

Retired MMA official Big John McCarthy spoke out regarding the functionality of different-sized cages. Various large scale MMA promotions use 30-foot cages for titled pay-per-view events, with the UFC being top amongst them.

The UFC utilizes 25-foot cages for their Fight Night cards and ESPN+ Dana white Contender Series shows at the APEX Center in Las Vegas.

Veteran reporter John Morgan reported on Twitter about the reasoning behind the 30-foot cage. According to operations staff, the 30-foot cage is better suited for broadcast and hence used on pay-per-view events. However, events held in smaller venues are not suitably sized for said cage.

John McCarthy reveals inside information

Responding to Morgan with inside information of his own, John McCarthy explained that the UFC prefers smaller cages as it facilitates more high paced action.

Former UFC matchmaker Joe Silva prefers the smaller action friendly cages that originated in the WEC promotion. UFC fighters, on the other hand, prefer larger cages for the added space.

Further, he gave insight as to the possible viability of a 30-foot cage inside the newly constructed Apex Center facility. Operational since June 19,  2019, the Apex Center is a state-of-the-art facility built to host the contender series.

The facility, housed in Las Vegas, may host multiple events in the foreseeable future, given the pandemic and issues with procuring commission licenses.

The contender series has seen plenty of finishes. Possibly, there are some entertaining cards in the coming future.  John McCarthy, who has been involved in MMA since its inception, has plenty of insights as to the inner working of UFC, and this is just one more such instance.