Incredible new photos of The Sphere test run for UFC 306 spark mixed fan reactions: "They still trying to sell tickets"

Fans gave mixed reactions to the glimpses of Noche UFC 306 test run at The Sphere. The event is set to take place on Sept. 14 and it will commemorate the Mexican Independence Day. A large part of the event's promotion revolves around the unique experience that the iconic venue has to offer.

MMA journalist Shakiel Mahjouri recently shared pictures from the test run on his X. UFC CEO Dana White can be seen attending the test run with a small group of people. The pictures were reposted by @ChampRDs on X.

Check out the pictures below:

Fans took to the comments section of the post to share their thoughts. While some were impressed with the visuals, others criticized the high ticket prices and the quality of fights scheduled for the event.

Fan reactions

Bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley will attempt the second defense of his title against Merab Dvalishvili in the Noche UFC 306 main event. Meanwhile, women's flyweight champion Alexa Grasso will compete in a trilogy fight against her predecessor Valentina Shevchenko in the co-headlining bout.

While the UFC intends the event to be a milestone in its history, it has been embroiled in controversies of late. The ticket prices for Noche UFC 306 were deemed too expensive and the production cost for the event has reportedly crossed the $20 million mark.

Reports claimed that thousands of tickets were unsold less than two weeks before the event. As a result, the promotion has slashed the ticket prices and revised its estimates for the gate to $21 million from the earlier $25 to $27 million.

In a recent post on X, MMA journalist Ariel Helwani highlighted the record-breaking facts about Noche UFC 306. However, fans seemed to be unimpressed by them.