UFC fans and the MMA media were excited to attend the UFC’s APEX Center for another fight night on October 1. Many put travel plans in action, but the UFC threw a curveball at everyone just a few days before the event.
Per the UFC, UFC Vegas 61 will be closed to the public and media. Media Day and the weigh-ins will be available for media, but fight night will be off-limits. It appears that, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the UFC’s APEX Center will only feature fighters, their team, and UFC staff.
UFC Vegas 61 features a strawweight bout between Mackenzie Dern and Yan Xiaonan.
MORE: Everything you need to know for UFC Vegas 61
Why won’t there be any fans or media at UFC Vegas 61?
During the finale of Dana White’s Contender Series, there was a lot to celebrate. Over 40 contracts were given to fighters from the tryout series, including standouts Bo Nickal and 17-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. After all the pomp and circumstance from the event ended, the media in attendance asked UFC President Dana White about the decision to have the event behind closed doors.
“We just figured that you guys have been so busy lately we’d give you guy’s a night off,” White told the media. “You guys are here on Tuesdays, here on Saturdays. Kevin (Iole of Yahoo Sports) actually showed up today. We need to give you guys a break. You’re welcome. Stay home, order a pizza, watch the fights. Enjoy yourselves.”
White insisted there were no big secrets surrounding fans and media not showing up inside the UFC’s APEX Center by the time October 1 hits.
There have been rumors of the UFC producing fights within the metaverse, but nothing has been confirmed. The metaverse is a collection of 3D locales that can be accessed via VR equipment. Not long ago, White went on the Full Send Podcast and talked about the idea of the UFC testing it.
“We’re looking to do a fight in the metaverse,” White said, via BJ Penn. “We’ve been working on it for a while. It’ll be a live fight, an actual fight that takes place inside the metaverse. It’d be kids at home, you put on your (goggles) and you can (get) up and go walk around. We’re still working it out, but yeah, it’ll be soon. We’ll be doing a fight in the metaverse. It’ll be a real fight.”
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Stay tuned, as The Sporting News will look to provide more information regarding this change.
When is UFC Vegas 61: Dern vs. Yan?
- Date: Saturday, October 1
- Start time: 4 p.m. ET
- Main card: 7 p.m. ET
- Main event: 10 p.m. ET (approximately)
UFC Vegas 61 takes place on Saturday, October 1. The prelims start at 4 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at 7 p.m. ET. Dern and Yan should enter the octagon around 10 p.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
How to watch UFC Vegas 61: Dern vs. Yan
- TV channels/live stream: ESPN+
The prelims and main card for UFC Vegas 61 will be available on the ESPN+ streaming service.
Dern vs. Yan price: How much does UFC Vegas 61 cost?
You can pay $9.99 for a monthly subscription to ESPN+ or buy an annual subscription for $99.99.
| Product | Prices |
|---|---|
| ESPN+ Monthly Subscription | $9.99/month |
| ESPN+ Annual Subscription | $99.99/year |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported | $13.99/month |
| The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads | $19.99/month |
UFC Vegas 61: Mackenzie Dern vs. Yan Xiaonan fight card
Main card
- Mackenzie Dern vs. Yan Xiaonan; Strawweights
- Francisco Trinaldo vs. Randy Brown; Welterweights
- Raoni Barcelos vs. Trevin Jones; Bantamweights
- Sodiq Yusuff vs. Don Shainis; Featherweights
- John Castaneda vs. Daniel Santos; Bantamweights
- Mike Davis vs. Viacheslav Borshchev; Lightweights
Prelims
- Aleksei Oleinik vs. Ilir Latifi; Heavyweights
- Tabatha Ricci vs. Jessica Penne; Strawweights
- Joaquim Silva vs. Jesse Ronson; Lightweights
- Brendan Allen vs. Krzysztof Jotko; Middleweights
- Mxim Grisham vs. Philipe Lens; Light-Heavyweights
- Julija Stoliarenko vs. Chelsea Chandler; Catchweight
- Guido Cannetti vs. Randy Costa; Bantamweights
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