Fans call for UFC change as new images show how $70m Meta Apex will look for Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing 1

The Meta Apex is shaping up to host Dana White’s first Zuffa Boxing event.

Zuffa Boxing, a new promotion led by UFC CEO White and Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, puts on its inaugural show at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Friday.

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A super-welterweight clash between Callum Walsh and Carlos Ocampo headlines Zuffa Boxing 1 at the UFC-owned arena.

The Apex was purchased by the UFC for $40million in 2018 and renovated with an additional $30m three years later to make it a state-of-the-art facility.

Last week, the Apex was renamed to include Meta in all branding as part of a landmark naming rights deal with Mark Zuckerberg‘s tech giant.

Tickets for Zuffa Boxing 1 are being sold to the general public for the first time in the history of the Apex, which is located adjacent to UFC’s headquarters in Las Vegas.

The venue is typically used for UFC Fight Night events, where there are usually only friends and family surrounding the Octagon.

However, as shown by new images posted on X by Ken Hathaway of MMA Junkie, the Meta Apex will now allow up to 1,000 attendees for fights going forward.

Fans call for Meta Apex to also include fans for UFC Fight Night events

Responding to the photos, members of the MMA world have said they want to see the same in the UFC down the line.

One fan wrote on X: “They have to keep this set-up for UFC fights. People wouldn’t hate the Apex so much.”

Another added: “Nice… but just like last time… will they change it back to how it was when there is an MMA event?”

A third noted that it would make a ‘huge difference’ to the atmosphere of UFC Fight Night events if tickets were sold to the general public, like Zuffa Boxing 1.

@1khathaway via X

@1khathaway via X

@1khathaway via X

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The first Apex show of the UFC’s packed 2026 schedule takes place on February 7, with Mario Bautista fighting Vinicius Oliveira in a top-ranked bantamweight bout.

This follows the UFC’s first two shows of 2026, UFC 324 and UFC 325, with the former taking place this weekend.

Justin Gaethje challenges Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 324 in Sin City on Saturday.