"They f**ked us” - Dana White claims UFC 306 is only happening at The Sphere after “disrespect” from T-Mobile Arena owners

Dana White has shed light on the reason behind the promotion's decision to host UFC 306 at The Sphere, a recently constructed but already iconic venue in Las Vegas. The UFC CEO stated that the company has already spent $20 million in preparation for the highly anticipated event.

UFC 306 will take place on Sept. 14, two days before Mexican Independence Day. In 2023, the promotion commemorated the day by hosting Noche UFC at the T-Mobile Arena, the venue used most often in Las Vegas for UFC pay-per-views.

But 2024's Mexican Independence Day celebrations at T-Mobile Arena will see Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga take place, in a clash that will pit Mexico against Puerto Rico.

During his press conference following the latest edition of the Dana White's Contender Series, White opened up about the reason for UFC 306 taking place at The Sphere:

"That was our date last year [at T-Mobile], and then without even asking us, or talking to us, they gave the date away. That's why I'm at The Sphere. I couldn't do The Sphere because I'm under contract with MGM [Resorts International]. But because they f**ked us, they let us do it [at The Sphere]."

He continued:

"When I say MGM, it's the guys who run the [T-Mobile] arena who have been literally disrespecting us since day one of the relationship."

Watch Dana White's interview below (12:20):

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Dana White hilariously reacts to Merab Dvalishvili removing his own stitches

UFC 306 is set to be headlined by a bantamweight title clash between Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili.

However, the fight appeared in danger of cancellation last week after 'The Machine' posted an image of a cut he suffered while training for his first UFC title fight. Dvalishvili uploaded footage of his cut online, much to the frustration of Dana White.

To add to the UFC CEO's worries, the Georgian has now shared footage of him removing the stitches from his cut himself.

During White's aforementioned press conference, he reacted to Dvalishvili's recent video, saying:

"Isn't he awesome? I think he's just f**king with me now, to be honest with you... No [I haven't spoken to him]. Do what you want. Did you ever see the scissors they take stitches out with? They're tiny... This dude had like f**king bush sheers that he was using."