Fight Capital Newsletter #46
UFC 306 at The Sphere Is a Different Game, Interviews with PFL Europe Champion Jakub Kaszuba and World Class Coach Said Saparov
In this week’s edition of the Fight Capital Newsletter, I examined the groundbreaking fusion of combat sports and immersive storytelling at UFC 306, set to take place at the Las Vegas Sphere.
Having been to an event at The Sphere, I know this is going to be next level. Once you experience this one-of-a-kind entertainment venue, there's no going back.
With a $20 million budget, this event is pushing the boundaries of live sports production, blending high-stakes fights with stunning visual narratives on the world’s largest LED screen. The UFC is redefining fan engagement by using cutting-edge technology to create an experience unlike anything we’ve seen before.
I also highlight my recent conversations with PFL European Lightweight Champion Jakub Kazsuba and Kill Cliff FC Coach Said Saparov, who shared insights on the future of combat sports.
Stay tuned for more!
Sincere Regards
A Groundbreaking Fusion of Combat Sports and Immersive Storytelling at UFC 306
UFC 306 at the Las Vegas Sphere is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious and innovative events in combat sports history.
As one of the world leaders in sports, this is not just another fight night. The Ultimate Fighting Championship is building a pioneering fusion of sport, storytelling, and cutting-edge technology that could change how we experience live events. The UFC is pushing boundaries, turning this into a $20 million spectacle set to break records and potentially redefine the future of combat sports entertainment.
For the first time, the UFC will leverage the Sphere's jaw-dropping 580,000-square-foot LED screen, the largest in the world, to create an immersive visual experience like no other. In a recent interview, UFC Chief Content Officer Craig Borsari shared some exciting details about what fans can expect.
The event, formally titled Riyadh Season Noche UFC, will use a groundbreaking combination of films, worlds, and acts, seamlessly blending fights with artistic storytelling. Academy Award-winning director Carlos López Estrada, known for his work on Raya and the Last Dragon, has been tasked with producing six 90-second films that will serve as interludes between the bouts.
These films will pay homage to Mexico’s rich contribution to combat sports and transition into what Borsari refers to as “worlds”—fully immersive environments displayed across the Sphere’s curved LED walls, within which the fights will take place.
Imagine this: as one fight ends, a visually stunning short film celebrating Mexican fighting spirit begins, drawing the audience into a narrative that flows seamlessly into the next fight. The audience won't just be watching the action. Event attendees will be part of a multi-sensory experience unlike any other. The UFC is blending athletic competition with storytelling in a way that could redefine how we think about live sports.
But the innovation doesn’t stop there. One of the biggest technical hurdles the UFC faced in this venue was how to light the Octagon without obstructing the audience's view of the enormous LED display. For 30 years, UFC fights have used a traditional lighting truss above the Octagon, but that setup would block the immersive media experience the Sphere offers.
After months of planning, the UFC team came up with an innovative solution: lighting the Octagon from behind the LED media plane. This creative approach allows the Octagon to be lit in a way that enhances both the in-person and broadcast experience without diminishing the visual spectacle of the venue.
While much of the night will be about pushing the envelope of what’s possible in live sports production, UFC 306 remains at its core a night of thrilling fights.
Headlining the event, Sean O’Malley will defend his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili, a fight between two of the UFC's premier athletes in what has become one of the sport's most competitive divisions. In the co-main event, Alexa Grasso will face Valentina Shevchenko for the third time in a high-stakes matchup for the women’s flyweight title. With other notable fighters like Brian Ortega, Diego Lopes, and Irene Aldana also on the card, the night promises to deliver action-packed bouts that complement the visual spectacle.
There has been some skepticism leading up to the event, particularly around ticket prices and the card's strength compared to other pay-per-views. Early criticism focused on high ticket costs, which initially ranged up to $5,000.
But despite the pushback, the UFC expects to surpass $20 million in gate revenue, making UFC 306 the highest-grossing event in the company’s history. As the first live sporting event ever held at the Sphere, there’s no doubt that UFC 306 is a massive financial and creative undertaking.
The fights themselves will be staged in a way that enhances both the live and broadcast experience. Borsari and his team have brought in Emmy-winning director Glenn Weiss, known for directing the Oscars and Tony Awards, to help manage the visual storytelling. Alongside UFC veteran director Anthony Giordano, they aim to strike a delicate balance between showcasing the fights and the venue’s massive LED capabilities. Their goal is to make the viewers at home feel as though they are seated inside the Sphere, watching the action unfold in real-time.
Here's a great breakdown of The Sphere:
And while the in-cage action remains the focus, the UFC is also leaning into the grandiosity of the venue, making sure the LED screen is active with animations and content that complement the fights.
The creative team is tasked with ensuring the media plane enhances, rather than distracts from, the in-cage action. As Borsari explained, it’s a balancing act: “When do we lean into heavy storytelling techniques, and when do we go into a more traditional fight coverage?”
Beyond the spectacle of the fights themselves, UFC 306 serves as a “love letter” to Mexican culture and its deep roots in combat sports. Dana White has long been committed to showcasing Mexican fighters, and this event marks a celebration of the Mexican fighting spirit. The integration of culturally significant content within such an immersive, high-tech environment is a bold step for the UFC, as they look to offer something that has never been done before in live combat sports.
While the event is currently billed as a "one-and-done" spectacle, it’s hard to imagine that this won’t become a new template for high-profile UFC events. With technology advancing rapidly and audience expectations evolving, UFC 306 might just be the beginning of a new era in how live sports are produced and consumed.
This event has the potential to set a new standard for how we think about live sports, blending the physical intensity of MMA with the visual storytelling of cinema. As fight night approaches, the anticipation is palpable.
Will UFC 306 live up to the hype and become a watershed moment in combat sports history?
We’ll find out on September 14th when the lights go down, the LED walls light up, and the UFC enters a new world of entertainment at the Las Vegas Sphere.
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KO of The Year Candidate Lucas "Prince" Bahdi Talks Motivation and Pressure
This Week's Podcasts
Jakub Kaszuba: The PFL European Champion Gears Up to Defend
Jakub Kazsuba, the undefeated PFL Europe lightweight champion, discusses his journey in combat sports, his upcoming title defense, and the challenges of balancing a full-time job as an auditor with his fighting career. He talks about the importance of having a backup plan and financial planning for fighters. Jakub also shares his experience with securing sponsors and the difficulties of finding sponsors for fights in @PFLMMA Europe. He expresses his goals of staying healthy, being consistent, and becoming as popular as possible in the sport.
Jakub Kasuba has been training in martial arts since he was a child and has competed in various combat sports throughout his career.
He balances his fighting career with a full-time job as an auditor for the state of Florida.
How Jakub came up with @CombatNight and the growth he saw with this regional promotion.
Jakub emphasizes the importance of having a backup plan and financial planning for fighters, as injuries can prevent them from competing and earning a paycheck.
Securing sponsors can be challenging, especially for fights in Europe, but Jakub has found local sponsors who want to support him.
His goals include staying healthy, being consistent in training and fighting, and becoming as popular as possible in the sport.
Said Saparov: A World-Class Coach Growing the Next Wave of MMA
Said Saparov, a respected coach at Kill Cliff FC, shares his journey into coaching and the importance of combat sports in his culture. He emphasizes the value of sports as a social elevator and a way to keep young people away from negative influences. Saparov discusses the diversity and respect within the combat sports community, highlighting the importance of sharing knowledge and building a fight team culture. He also praises Henri Hooft and the coaching team at Kill Cliff FC for their diverse backgrounds and expertise. Said Saparov discusses the unique aspects of coaching MMA fighters from different cultural backgrounds and the importance of learning from his fighters. He emphasizes the authenticity and realness of MMA athletes and the need for them to show their personalities to gain a larger international following. Saparov also talks about the role of coaches in the business aspects of their fighters' careers and the importance of managers and coaches working together. He shares his goal of bringing more kids from disadvantaged backgrounds into MMA and using the sport as a means of rehabilitation and personal growth.
Combat sports serve as a social elevator and a way to keep young people away from negative influences.
The combat sports community is diverse and fosters respect among athletes from different backgrounds.
Sharing knowledge and building a fight team culture are essential in coaching.
Henri Hooft and the coaching team at Kill Cliff FC emphasize diversity and expertise in their approach. Coaching MMA fighters from different cultural backgrounds requires understanding and navigating cultural differences.
Authenticity and showing their personalities are crucial for MMA athletes to gain a larger international following.
Coaches should play a role in the business aspects of their fighters' careers, working closely with managers to secure sponsorships and opportunities.
Saparov's goal is to bring more kids from disadvantaged backgrounds into MMA and use the sport as a means of rehabilitation and personal growth.
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Sounds like an amazing event!