UFC Mexico Struggles with Ticket Sales
For the first time since 2024, UFC Mexico has tickets still available during fight week — about 4,000 out of 20,000 seats unsold. The event is proceeding despite security concerns after cartel leader El Mencho's arrest, with the UFC citing long-standing partnerships with local security agencies since 2014. Analysts attribute the slow sales to viewer fatigue with Brandon Moreno headlining for the third consecutive year and increased ticket prices.
The UFC's return to Mexico City marks a stark contrast to its previous outings, which have historically been rapid sell-outs. The inaugural UFC 180 in 2014 saw all 20,000+ tickets for the Arena Ciudad de Mexico snapped up within eight hours. Subsequent events have enjoyed similar success, including a sold-out crowd of over 20,000 for Brandon Moreno's fight in February 2024 and another packed house of 19,731 for his bout in March 2025, which set new attendance and revenue records for the venue. This year's event is the third consecutive year Brandon Moreno has headlined in Mexico City. The former two-time flyweight champion, and the first Mexican-born champion in UFC history, has a record of one win and one loss in his two most recent main events in front of his home crowd. His fight in February 2024 was a split-decision loss to Brandon Royval, while he secured a unanimous decision victory over Steve Erceg in March 2025. A significant factor likely impacting ticket sales is a last-minute change to the main event. Moreno was originally scheduled to face the No. 7 ranked flyweight contender, Asu Almabayev. However, Almabayev withdrew due to a hand injury and was replaced by the less-known Lone'er Kavanagh, who is stepping in on short notice. The co-main event features former bantamweight title challenger Marlon "Chito" Vera taking on the surging No. 10 ranked David Martinez. The rest of the card is heavily populated with Mexican and Latin American fighters, a consistent strategy for the UFC's events in the region. Despite the local talent, the combination of a replacement headliner and potentially higher ticket prices for a UFC Fight Night may be contributing to the unusual number of available seats.
