Dana White has declared himself a chance of being in the crowd at Saturday’s NRL Las Vegas blockbuster, with the UFC boss having already told Allegiant Stadium staff to put his private suite on standby.
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The shock reveal comes as White has also offered to help ARLC boss Peter V’landys with his blueprint for not only a bold push into other cities like Miami, but also getting President Donald Trump to the 2027 season opener.
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Speaking with Fox Sports Australia at UFC headquarters on Wednesday, White said he’s been impressed with NRL executives during two meetings last year in both Las Vegas and Sydney.
The 56-year-old also confirmed himself a chance of attending Saturday night’s game at the same stadium where he held last year’s $200M headliner between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez.
Only recently, White signed Australia’s cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia to his new Zuffa Boxing stable, with the fighter — who is currently readying for a world title fight in Las Vegas — already locked in to attend both the season opener and Thursday’s Fremont Street party.
Saturday’s event kicks off with a match between UK heavyweights Hull KR and Leeds.
Next up is the North Queensland Cowboys versus Newcastle Knights, with the night then capped by a showdown between the Canterbury Bulldogs and St Illawarra Dragons.
While there is also a UFC Fight Night in Mexico City this Saturday evening, White told Fox Sports Australia he would not be travelling south for the card – and could potentially watch the fights remotely from his Stadium box.
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“With the private suite at Allegiant Stadium, it could all work,” White said of a move that, if it comes off, will most likely see him attending the night’s final match between the Bulldogs and Dragons.
But as for how much he knows about The Greatest Game of All?
“I actually know a little about the game, already,” he said. “And I love what your guys are doing here, too.
“I met with them [NRL executives] when they were out here last year, and then again when I was in Sydney [for UFC 312].
“They’re all great people and have been terrific to deal with.
“I’ve already told them too that their decision to come to Las Vegas, it was absolutely the right one.
“For Australian fans, this really is the best place to watch an ‘away’ game … it’s the perfect f***ing city.”
So impressed is White with all things NRL, he has this week opened up his UFC Performance Institute for all six travelling teams from Australia and the English Super League.
Every day since the Bulldogs first landed last Thursday, players have been able to work out inside the sprawling complex that sits around 20 minutes off the strip, with open access to not only the gym and recovery centre, but also the endless number of healthy meals available from the onsight UFC cafeteria.
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Elsewhere, the fight promoter who doubles as a close friend of President Trump has urged the NRL to push forward in building a relationship with the US leader – convinced nothing is off limits for a man who, come June, will be hosting a UFC card on the White House lawn.
“Given how much the president loves sports,” White said, “the idea of getting him to a game league definitely isn’t impossible.”
Asked if taking the game to a particular US city would help the code’s chances of landing Trump, White replied: “What would really help their chances is creating a relationship with him.”
White also praised the crowd figures generated by NRL openers over the first two years, adding he had no problem with some seats going for $29.
“Because I don’t care if you’re selling them for half that,” he said. “If you’re getting 40,000 people through your gates, that’s a real figure.
“You sell that many tickets and you’re going to do a number.”
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Elsewhere, the promoter also gave his thoughts on V’landys’ proposal to take other games to cities like Miami, Florida, while also urging the NRL to style their Las Vegas opener on his own International Fight Week, held in Las Vegas every July.
“But I’m not sure they give a s*** what I think,” he grinned.
Told they most certainly would, the UFC boss then continued: “Instead of moving your event around the United States, I’d continue to put on a great f***ing show here.
“Keep hammering Las Vegas every year because everything is here.
“I’d actually suggest making the event like our International Fight Week.
“They [the NRL] already have all the relationships here.
“So keep building your activations around town with the different bars, the restaurants and hotels, do your autograph signings, fan events, all of that.
“And then come Monday morning, you can also start marketing next year’s game.”
If the NRL chooses to also play other games in a second city, White backed Miami.
“Because first off, you always want a great destination,” he said. “And that city is one of them.
“Miami is rockin’ right now.
“It’s one of the greatest cities in America …”
Then, White pulled out his phone to check some numbers.
“Let’s also look at US States with the most Australians,” he continued. “OK, number one is California, with 20,000.
“Then you’ve got New York with 8000, but the weather is absolutely miserable there right now. A then its Florida with 7000, Texas with 6400, and then it drops off from there.
“Still, my first suggestion is to hammer Las Vegas.
“This city is perfect”.