What happened: Ariel Helwani mocked Dana White’s belated embrace of live crowds. Years earlier, Helwani contrasted the Apex’s muted atmosphere with the energy surrounding UFC 280.
Why it matters: The renovated Meta Apex will offer tickets to the general public for every event. The shift gives smaller UFC cards a chance to regain the atmosphere lost during the venue’s closed-door era.
By the numbers: The Las Vegas venue has staged nearly 200 UFC events, including 112 Fight Nights and 70 episodes of Dana White’s Contender Series.
What to watch: Crowd response at upcoming Fight Night and Contender Series cards will show how much the expanded seating changes the room.