The world’s most prolific mixed martial arts promotion is returning to Australia in 2024 for UFC 305.
Marking the TKO Group subsidiary’s first pay-per-view event on our sunburnt shores since UFC 293: Israel Adesanya vs Sean Strickland — and the first in Perth since the much-debated UFC 284: Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski — local fight fans will be glad to hear this is just the tip of the iceberg.
As it so happens, UFC 305 represents just one of two blockbuster cards scheduled to go down at RAC Arena thanks to a multi-year deal inked by Tourism Western Australia and the MMA promotion itself.
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Between this and the UFC’s ongoing $16 million partnership with the NSW government, effectively, we can expect another five pay-per-view events over the next three years.
“Perth, I am so excited to be coming back!” said UFC President & CEO Dana White.
“After a record-breaking event in 2023, I can’t wait to bring another massive pay-per-view to Western Australia.”
“Perth is a world-class city with some of the most passionate fight fans I’ve ever seen — UFC 305 is going to be incredible!”
WA Premier Roger Cook added: “The return of UFC to Perth in 2024 is a major coup for Western Australia, following the roaring success of UFC 284 that injected millions into our economy last year.”
In total, $42.8 million in economic and flow-on benefits with more than 9,000 international/interstate visitors, according to the press release.
“UFC has proven to be a huge drawcard with a dedicated fan base, and we expect to see thousands of out-of-state visitors travel to Perth to attend this blockbuster.”
“Western Australia continues to strengthen its reputation for hosting world-class sporting events, and with UFC boasting the best of the best in MMA, UFC 305 represents yet another high calibre spectacle in our events calendar.”
Onto the matter of who will headline UFC 305…
While inside sources familiar with the situation previously told BH that former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker was a top candidate in the wake of his decision victory against Paulo Costa at UFC 298: Alexander Volkanovski vs Ilia Topuria, the Reaper has since been ruled out for the time being.
Instead, he’ll be facing Khamzat Chimaev this June in Saudi Arabia for a title eliminator (a Fight Night card, if you can believe that) — though imagine if he gets it done quick-smart then fights for the belt on home turf?
Depending on Volkananovski’s recovery post-Topuria (and post-Makhachev II), there’s every chance the former featherweight king and former #1 pound-for-pound fighter will make the journey west to entertain us.
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The same can be said about #10 flyweight contender and Perth native Steve Erceg, who is currently set for a title fight against Alexander Pantoja at UFC 301 in Brazil come May. Picture it now: a local boy defending the strap he claimed during his meteoric/fast-tracked rise in front of a home crowd.
There’s also a strong possibility of fellow Perth boy Jack Della Madalena and the recently-recovered Jack Jenkins pulling up to throw hands inside the Octagon — both of whom sent RAC Arena into a meltdown when they featured on the UFC 284 card. Here’s to hoping…
Stay tuned for more details on UFC 305 (which will begin selling tickets soon).
