On the eve of NSAC hearing, UFC releases record-breaking economic impact for ‘Khabib vs McGregor’ in Las Vegas

Remember how salty Frankie Edgar got over the special treatment afforded to Conor McGregor?

There’s a reason UFC puts up with his nonsense, something we’ve known as far back as 2014. But now the city of Las Vegas has a reason to be singing his praises, too, after tallying the final numbers for UFC 229.

The “Sin City” extravaganza set new records for attendance (20,034) and ticket revenue ($17,188,894) for “Khabib vs. McGregor” on Oct. 6 of last year, held inside T-Mobile Arena, as well as $86.4 million in total economic output.

”During the build up to UFC 229, I said it was going to be the biggest event in UFC’s history, and now we have all the numbers to prove it,” said UFC President Dana White in today’s release. “Khabib vs. McGregor smashed our records for Pay-Per-Views, social media impressions, and global viewership, and now we know it set records for economic impact here Las Vegas. None of this would have been possible without the support from the Las Vegas community and UFC’s loyal fans, the best in sports.”

Here are the key highlights from UFC 229:

• $86.4 million total economic output
• $17.2 million total salaries and wages paid
• 414 jobs supported in Southern Nevada
• $3.7 million total taxes paid by visitors
• 40% of UFC 229 visitors traveled from international locations
• 50% of attendees were between the ages of 21 to 34
• 50% of attendees reported an annual household income of $100,000 or more
• One in five attendees stayed in Las Vegas for at least five days
• Nearly two in five attendees reported spending more than $2,000 on non-gaming activities

“Las Vegas has long been the fight capital of the world, and UFC 229 once again showed that combining UFC’s tremendous brand with the brand of Las Vegas is a win-win for everyone,” said Steve Hill, Chief Executive Officer, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “We’re proud to be the home of UFC and to partner with them to put on some of the greatest events in the MMA world.”

Tell that to these folks.

While McGregor helped UFC and Las Vegas achieve those respective milestones, the power-punching Irishman was unable to reach his own goals, falling short to Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 and failing to reclaim his 155-pound title.

In addition, the show was marred by a post-fight brawl that included both headliners, as well as members of their respective fight camps. The hearing for that debacle takes place tomorrow (Jan. 29), which makes the timing of this release awfully coincidental.

And it’s not like athletic commissions are willing to overlook bad behavior just to make sure the city earns a few buck ... oh wait.