Combat sports are coming back to Las Vegas as the Nevada State Athletic Commission approved UFC fights at its Apex facility on May 30 and June 6. The commission also voted to allow two Top Rank boxing matches on June 9 and 11 at the MGM Grand.
UFC held three events in Florida earlier this month and pushed for this weekend’s return to Las Vegas as UFC President Dana White claimed it as the safest place to conduct fights. On Friday, Nevada will head into Phase 2 of reopening, which includes sporting events without an audience.
With approval to return to its Nevada headquarters and foreign athletes now allowed to come into the U.S., White’s ‘Fight Island’ idea is losing practicality. However, the company did manage to trademark UFSEA – a nickname for the concept from late-night TV host John Oliver. More than 22 trademarks have been filed in relation to Fight Island.