UFC Apex to host WWE’s NXT Battleground

Article posted by Coliseum, May 6^th, 2024

Image: UFC APEX

WWE, in partnership with the UFC, will stage NXT Battleground at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 9.

ESPN said this will mark the first-ever WWE event that will be hosted at the 130,000-square foot production facility, home of UFC Fight Night events, Dana White’s Contender Series and more.

After purchasing the building in 2018 and conducting a multi-million-dollar renovation, UFC opened the Apex facility in June 2019.

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The venue includes over 50,000 square feet of production space and 70,000 square feet of office area. The popular reality television series ‘The Contender’ has been filmed in part at the UFC Apex.

UFC Apex has built-in, advanced production capabilities with an arena space that can be configured to accommodate a variety of live events, including other sports competitions, concerts, stage shows, esports tournaments, and more.

The arena can also be converted into a sound stage for use as a rehearsal space for entertainment acts booked throughout Las Vegas.

WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels told ESPN, “We are always exploring new frontiers to showcase NXT and we are excited to bring Battleground to this world-class production facility in partnership with UFC.”

Last September, UFC’s parent company Endeavor and the WWE announced the closing of a merger between the mixed martial arts and professional wrestling promotions to create TKO. To date, there has been some crossover between the two brands, but this will be the most significant where a UFC venue will host a WWE event.

NXT Battleground was originally penciled in for May 26 at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia but will now relocate to Las Vegas, the home of the UFC.

NXT Battleground is set to feature some of the biggest NXT superstars including NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov, NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez NXT North American Champion Oba Femi, NXT Tag Team Champions Axiom and Nathan Frazer, Trick Williams, Carmelo Hayes, Lyra Valkyria and more.

The UFC Apex typically hosts smaller crowds of under 500 people for Dana White’s Contender Series and UFC Fight Night events.

It is unknown how many tickets will be made available for Battleground but the UFC has applied to the Clark County Zoning Commission to add the ability to host up to 1,000 people for events along with food and alcohol service, ticket sales and a souvenir shop.

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