UFC Event In New Jersey Generated $26M, Got Visit From Trump

NEWARK, NJ — It was one of the biggest sports spectaculars in Prudential Center history. That’s the line when it comes to the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) sold-out event last year, which got a visit from Donald Trump – and a cheer from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.

On Tuesday, the governor’s office issued a statement about the UFC bout in Newark on June 1, 2024, reporting that the event set a new financial record at the venue.

A crowd of more than 17,800 fight fans flocked to the Prudential Center, which recorded a gate of $7.3 million – the highest-grossing sporting event in its history.

Fans watched as Islam Makhachev defended his UFC lightweight title against Dustin Poirier in the main event, while the co-main event featured a five-round middleweight bout between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa.

Visitors from 48 states and 34 other countries traveled to the event, including fans from Canada and the U.K. About 79 percent of attendees came from markets outside of New Jersey, the governor’s office said.

According to Murphy, the event generated more than $26 million in total economic output.

“We are proud to welcome the UFC and its passionate fanbase back to New Jersey and look forward to building on this legacy of success,” the governor said.

One of those fans? President Donald Trump, who attended last year’s fight when he was on the campaign trail.

The visit took place shortly after Trump’s conviction on 34 felony charges in New York. See Related: Trump Guilty; Landmark Verdict Gets Cheers, Jeers In New Jersey

Trump got a rousing ovation from the crowd when he entered the arena, which was his first public outing since the conviction. His arrival at the Prudential Center inspired a loud chant that Trump’s supporters made ubiquitous on social media during the 2024 presidential campaign: “F*** Joe Biden.”

Trump could be seen posing for photos with Dana White, the company’s CEO, and taking in the action while sitting ringside.

“It takes a lot of balls for someone to walk into a big event like this, after all the stuff he’s been through for the last three days,” an attendee told a reporter with The New York Times.

Ironically, Trump’s UFC experience took place in Newark, which he has repeatedly mocked over the years as a “failed” city, once claiming that Booker “ran it into the ground” when he formerly served as mayor.

• See Related: 'How Is Newark Doing?' Trump Mocks. 'Awesome,' City Replies

Last June’s event gave a big boost to the local economy in Newark, according to the governor’s office, which offered the following financial breakdown:

“This record gate of $7.3 million, coupled with additional visitor spending sourced to out-of-town attendees, resulted in substantial impacts within the Newark area and surrounding local communities. Direct spending attributable to the event exceeded $14.3 million. After accounting for the ripple effect generated from vendor purchases (indirect impact) and employee spending (induced impact), total economic activity sourced to UFC 302 reached a total of $26.8 million. As a result, the event supported 207 local employees and $12.0 million in salaries and wages (not including athletes’ purses). An additional combined total of $1.1 million in fiscal (tax) revenue was collected for the benefit of the regional economy, including ticket and pay-per-view taxes paid by UFC and taxes on visitor spending (sales, lodging, etc.) Finally, the event created significant media exposure for the area, with 36.2 billion impressions (the majority of which stemmed from Instagram) valued at more than $652.3 million.”

Some experts have cautioned that hosting large sports events isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, however, with critics pointing to increased demand on local infrastructure, safety and security costs and environmental issues.

• See Related: End 'Wasteful' Tax Loophole For Pro Sports Teams, NJ Senator Says

Meanwhile, demand for future UFC events continues to be “overwhelming” in the Garden State, spokespeople say.

“Thanks to UFC’s incredible fans in New Jersey, we have set records for ticket sales and attendance in back-to-back years at Prudential Center,” chief operating officer Lawrence Epstein said.

“Simply put, the demand for UFC events in the Garden State has been overwhelming,” Epstein added. “We thank Gov. Murphy, the City of Newark and the amazing team at Prudential Center for welcoming UFC with open arms, being great partners and helping us bring these unforgettable events to New Jersey.”

UPCOMING FIGHTS

The UFC will return to the Prudential Center on Saturday, June 7. Learn more or purchase tickets here.

Here’s what to expect, according to the Prudential Center:

“A championship doubleheader will headline the Octagon's return to Prudential Center for UFC 316. In the main event, it's a highly-anticipated rematch when relentless force Merab Dvalishvili defends his bantamweight crown against the man he took it from, ‘Suga’ Sean O'Malley. Plus, the women's bantamweight title will be on the line in the co-main event as Julianna Peña faces off with two-time Olympic gold medal winning judoka Kayla Harrison.”

The bout will mark the third consecutive year and 11th UFC event in the venue’s history.

LOCAL OUTREACH

Before the action in the octagon this Saturday, several UFC athletes will be taking part in community events throughout Newark.

According to a news release from the Prudential Center, the fighters – who will appear alongside New Jersey Devils players and venue employees – plan to spend time with some local service organizations and nonprofits, speaking about their backgrounds and offering words of encouragement.

On June 4, the UFC will be partnering with the Devils to visit the Boys & Girls Club of Newark, which empowers children to make good choices, sustain meaningful relationships with peers and adults, develop a positive self-image, and become “productive, engaged members” of their community.

On June 5, the UFC, the Devils and Total Wireless will partner with NJ LEEP to host an afterschool education-based meet and greet with local youth in Newark. The athletes will lead a panel to talk about the importance of arts, education and career development. The UFC and Total Wireless will present awards to the organizations top students and provide college prep materials, and the UFC will also make a $10,000 donation to the nonprofit’s annual gala.

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