Issue 209

September 2024

In a night filled with high-octane action inside the Octagon, Noche UFC’s setting at the Sphere in Las Vegas became the true headliner. Fans came for the fights, but they left talking about the mind-bending visuals that turned the event into an immersive experience like no other in UFC history. Unlike anything before it, the production wasn’t just a backdrop—it was a spectacle.

As the night progressed, the Sphere came to life with stunning displays, beginning with Mexico’s rich cultural history and evolving through time. From Aztec temples to futuristic landscapes, the mandala-inspired visuals were like stepping into a new world for every bout. While early on, the preliminary fights didn’t fully capitalize on the Sphere’s capabilities, the fights themselves more than made up for it. By the time the pay-per-view kicked off, the crowd inside and those watching at home had entered OMG territory.

One standout moment came during the walkouts when giant, cosmic visuals showed the fighters as towering figures against the backdrop of space. Planets seemed to crash into the Sphere’s dome, forcing fans to duck and gasp, not knowing what surreal moment would unfold next in this full-body experience, with each chapter of the night unfolding like a beautifully choreographed movie.

Noche UFC unfolded like an exquisitely choreographed movie that was a game-changer in the sport’s production history. Many fans are already speculating (read: hoping) that this might not be a one-and-done production. If the UFC had set out to redefine what live sports could look like, they succeeded—and the mandala, glowing above the Octagon, became the iconic image to cap off the night.

Date: September 14, 2024

Location: Noche UFC, The Sphere, Las Vegas, Nevada