UFC St. Louis made a triumphant return to the Enterprise Center, breaking previous records for attendance and gate revenue. The event, headlined by a heavyweight clash between Derrick Lewis and Rodrigo Nascimento, drew a crowd of 15,960 fans and generated a gate of $2.47 million.
The last time the UFC visited St. Louis in 2018, the attendance was significantly lower at 10,052 fans, with a gate of $812,995. This remarkable growth in audience turnout and revenue showcases the increasing popularity of UFC events in the region.
In the main event, Derrick Lewis delivered a spectacular performance, setting a new UFC knockout record by stopping Rodrigo Nascimento in the third round. This victory marked Lewis' 15th knockout win in the UFC, bringing his career record to 28-12-0-1. The win was a significant rebound for Lewis, who had suffered a decision loss in his previous fight.
In the co-main event, Joaquin Buckley secured a decision victory over Nursulton Ruziboev in a welterweight bout. Buckley, now 4-0 since moving down from middleweight, celebrated his first fight in his hometown of St. Louis as a UFC fighter.
UFC St. Louis was broadcast on ESPN, with the main card airing following preliminaries on ESPN+. The success of this event sets the stage for future UFC shows in St. Louis, with fans eagerly anticipating more thrilling matchups in the future.
Following the record-breaking event in St. Louis, the UFC now shifts its focus to UFC Vegas 92 at the UFC Apex. The upcoming card, headlined by a featherweight bout between Edson Barboza and Lerone Murphy, promises to deliver more high-octane action for MMA fans worldwide.
As the UFC continues to captivate audiences with its electrifying fights and star-studded events, the sport's popularity shows no signs of waning. Fans can look forward to more unforgettable moments and historic matchups as the UFC's legacy in St. Louis and beyond continues to grow.
