Dana White recreates Sphere press format for high-profile UFC White House card
Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images UFC 303 will be the next event in Las Vegas, and one of the most anticipated on the calendar now has a new date for its press conference. The June 14 event marks a significant milestone, yet it has faced some pushback from fans over the use of AI in its promotional video. Many feel that it lacked the energy and excitement that traditional hype packages used to deliver.
Fans have also wondered why the fighters weren’t brought together for an in-person event, given how much attention this card is drawing. That looks set to change soon, with reports suggesting that several high-profile fighters will appear together at an upcoming UFC promotional event. This follows Dana White’s announcement on social media last month about multiple plans that had already received some negative feedback from MMA fans.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC UFC White House press conference scheduled for UFC 328 fight week Ariel Helwani provided an update earlier today on how the UFC plans to build momentum for their event at the White House, which takes place about a month after June 14. The Octagon heads to Newark in the second week of May and it has been reported that a press conference will take place during fight week. “Plan is to have all the fighters competing on the White House card at a presser during UFC 328 fight week in NJ, I’m told,” Helwani wrote on X.
This approach isn’t new. Back in 2024, UFC 306 held a similar event outside Sphere in Las Vegas during fight week, featuring all 20 fighters from the Noche UFC card. Both events have cost White and the UFC a lot of money to stage as one-off shows, each presenting unique challenges due to their locations.
Staging fights at unique venues like these often comes with higher operational costs compared to traditional arenas. This financial commitment reflects both Dana White’s vision for expanding the sport’s reach and his willingness to take risks on unconventional venues. Over time, fans have raised concerns that press conferences no longer add much excitement leading up to events.