The UFC celebrates a decade since its return to New York City with a stacked Madison Square Garden card featuring two title fights, marking a milestone for a venue that hosted nine events following the 2016 legalization of professional mixed martial arts across the state, according to Bet365 and the UFC.
Madison Square Garden Landmark Bouts
Professional MMA bouts were outlawed across New York state for nearly two decades until the ban was lifted in April 2016.
From that year onward, the UFC has held annual events at the iconic Madison Square Garden every November, with the exception of 2020 due to the pandemic. As the UFC exploded in popularity following the success of The Ultimate Fighter, the promotion spread its reach first across the United Sates, and then to locations all over the world.
However, despite the undeniable appetite for mixed martial arts in the Big Apple, New York remained the final remaining holdout when it came to legalization, building a history that includes a total of 145 fights, including 20 bouts for UFC gold.
For the promotion’s maiden visit to Madison Square Garden in 2016 for UFC 205, Dana White needed a main event befitting the significance of the occasion.
In Eddie Alvarez versus Conor McGregor, he had one.
GSP had been coaxed out of retirement with an opportunity to become a two-division world champion, defeating Michael Bisping.
Rivalries and the BMF Title
So, when Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz met inside the Octagon at UFC 244 in 2019, the promotion implemented a championship befitting both men, the “BMF” title.
Masvidal became the inaugural champion in a fight which more than satisfied the crowd’s appetite for action, with the bout stopped before the fourth round after Diaz sustained a cut over his right eye.
By the time Edgar fought Chito Vera in November of 2021 however, he was well past his fighting prime and had lost three of his last four fights inside the Octagon.
Decade Milestone in New York
This year’s showcase will see Ciryl Gane defend his heavyweight title against surging contender Josh Hokit in the headline bout, while the co-main will see the legendary Amanda Nunes coming out of retirement to face reigning bantamweight queen Kayla Harrison.
Reflecting on the journey to establish mixed martial arts in the city, the promotion highlighted a familiar sentiment:
“… and since I made it here / I can make it anywhere / yeah, they love me everywhere.”