When you think of the UFC, one city always comes to mind — Las Vegas. The “Fight Capital of the World” has hosted countless historic moments inside the Octagon, from shocking knockouts to all-time classic rivalries.
Las Vegas isn’t just where the UFC built its brand — it’s where legends were made, titles changed hands, and the sport cemented itself in mainstream American culture. Let’s look back at the biggest UFC events ever held in Las Vegas, the fights that defined eras and turned fighters into superstars.
Why Las Vegas Became UFC’s Home Base
Before diving into the biggest events, it’s worth understanding why Las Vegas is so closely tied to the UFC.
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Casino culture: Vegas has always been a fight town, hosting major boxing matches for decades. Transitioning to UFC was natural.
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Regulation: The Nevada State Athletic Commission was among the first to regulate MMA, giving UFC legitimacy.
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Tourism & spectacle: Fans from all over the world fly to Vegas for fight weekends, turning events into full-blown festivals.
With that backdrop, here are the landmark UFC events that lit up the Strip.
UFC 100 (2009) – The First Mega Event
UFC 100 was more than just another fight card — it was the UFC’s coming-out party as a mainstream sport.
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Main Event: Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir 2
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Co-Main: Georges St-Pierre vs. Thiago Alves
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Highlight: Dan Henderson’s iconic knockout of Michael Bisping, followed by the infamous “H-Bomb” celebration.
The card did over 1.6 million PPV buys, a record at the time, and proved the UFC could rival boxing in drawing power.
UFC 189 (2015) – Conor McGregor’s Rise
Las Vegas and Conor McGregor are forever linked, and UFC 189 was the night he truly arrived as a superstar.
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Main Event: Conor McGregor vs. Chad Mendes (for interim featherweight title)
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Co-Main: Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2
McGregor’s electric walkout, knockout victory, and post-fight charisma turned him into the sport’s biggest star. Meanwhile, Lawler vs. MacDonald 2 is considered one of the greatest fights in UFC history.
UFC 194 (2015) – McGregor vs. Aldo
Just months later, Vegas witnessed one of the most shocking moments in MMA history.
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Main Event: Conor McGregor vs. José Aldo
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Result: McGregor knocked out Aldo in just 13 seconds, ending Aldo’s decade-long unbeaten streak.
The atmosphere at the MGM Grand Garden Arena was electric, and this fight cemented McGregor as the biggest draw in the sport.
UFC 196 (2016) – Nate Diaz Stuns the World
UFC 196 was supposed to be another McGregor showcase, but Las Vegas loves an upset.
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Main Event: Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz (non-title welterweight fight)
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Result: Diaz shocked the world, submitting McGregor with a rear-naked choke in Round 2.
This fight created one of UFC’s most famous rivalries and showed just how unpredictable the sport could be.
UFC 200 (2016) – The Milestone Event
The UFC wanted UFC 200 to be the biggest card ever, and while last-minute changes hurt the lineup, it was still a massive Vegas event.
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Main Event: Amanda Nunes vs. Miesha Tate (women’s bantamweight title)
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Highlights: Brock Lesnar’s return, Daniel Cormier vs. Anderson Silva (late replacement).
Even though the card didn’t fully live up to the hype, it was another milestone that drew huge attention to Las Vegas as UFC’s stage.
UFC 229 (2018) – Khabib vs. McGregor
The biggest UFC event of all time — and of course, it happened in Las Vegas.
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Main Event: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor (lightweight title)
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Result: Khabib submitted McGregor in Round 4.
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Aftermath: The post-fight brawl between Khabib’s team and McGregor’s camp made global headlines.
This event shattered records with 2.4 million PPV buys, the highest in UFC history. It was the ultimate mix of hype, drama, and high-level fighting.
UFC 246 (2020) – McGregor’s Comeback
After a long layoff, McGregor’s return at UFC 246 brought Vegas back to life.
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Main Event: Conor McGregor vs. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone
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Result: McGregor won in just 40 seconds, reminding the world why he’s still the biggest star in combat sports.
The fight set the tone for 2020, even before the pandemic changed the landscape of sports.
UFC 264 (2021) – McGregor vs. Poirier 3
By 2021, Vegas had reopened after COVID restrictions, and UFC 264 brought the fight capital roaring back.
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Main Event: Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 3
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Result: McGregor broke his leg at the end of Round 1, giving Poirier the TKO win.
The buildup, celebrity attendance, and drama made it one of the biggest cards of the modern era.
Why Las Vegas Will Always Be UFC’s Home
Even as the UFC expands to Abu Dhabi, London, Brazil, and beyond, Las Vegas remains its heartbeat. The city offers the perfect mix of:
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World-class venues like T-Mobile Arena and UFC’s own Apex.
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Easy access for international fans.
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A fight-week atmosphere you simply can’t replicate anywhere else.
Every time there’s a marquee title fight, there’s a good chance it’s happening under the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip.
Final Thoughts
From UFC 100 to UFC 229 and beyond, Las Vegas has given fans some of the most unforgettable nights in combat sports history. It’s the city where legends are made, rivalries are settled, and the Octagon shines brightest.
If you’re a UFC fan, watching a fight in Las Vegas isn’t just about the bout itself — it’s about experiencing the biggest stage MMA has to offer.
