ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The UFC delivered a night to remember in St. Louis on May 11, captivating fans with a thrilling display of mixed martial arts talent at the Enterprise Center.
With a record-breaking attendance of 15,960 and a gate of $2.47 million, this event marked a significant milestone for the UFC, setting new standards for Fight Night events.
The atmosphere was electric as fighters from around the world showcased their skills, earning the admiration of fans and recognition from UFC President Dana White.
Dana White, the driving force behind the UFC's success, lauded the St. Louis event as a testament to the sport's global appeal.
"St. Louis showed up (Saturday night) big time," White remarked. "The energy in the arena was incredible, and the fighters delivered some unforgettable performances. It's moments like these that remind us why we love this sport."
When asked about the possibility of returning to St. Louis for a PPV card, White expressed openness to the idea, recognizing the city's enthusiastic support for the sport.
White's comments, made in response to Breanna Eckert of Kimura, hinted at the potential for future blockbuster events in St. Louis, signaling a promising prospect for both fans and fighters alike.
Local fighters like Charles Johnson, Joaquin Buckley, and Sean Woodson put on a show for the hometown fans.
Charles "InnerG" Johnson (Flyweight)
Johnson, one hometown favorite, expressed his gratitude to the St. Louis crowd.
"St. Louis showed up, and that's the second fight of the night, and it's packed already. I mean, how often do we sit in arena fights and it's pretty empty for the second fight?" said Johnson. "St. Louis and the Midwest, people traveling to the meet and greet yesterday, people traveling from Canada... it just all felt so good in there, there was a lot of love."
In his flyweight bout, Johnson secured a victory over Jake Hadley by unanimous decision. Johnson delighted his hometown fans with a solid performance against Hadley, earning the judges' favor with identical scores of 29-28. The win improved Johnson's record to 15-6, while Hadley's record dropped to 10-3.
"It was really about pressing a button. He had nothing. We knew that left hand is going to come, I was expecting him to come a little bit straighter. He was looping it around the whole time, which made him very unsuccessful on his strikes." Johnson explained. "But you still have to be mindful because he's throwing everything with bad intentions."
Throughout the bout, Hadley applied pressure, showcasing a diverse range of attacks. However, Johnson found his rhythm. As the fight progressed, the local favorite grew increasingly active and effective, particularly towards the end of the first round.
Joaquin "New Mansa" Buckley (Welterweight)
In a thrilling welterweight showdown, Joaquin Buckley, a hometown superstar, delivered an electrifying performance against Nursulton Ruziboev in the co-main event. The St. Louis crowd erupted with excitement as Buckley secured a dominant unanimous decision victory, with judges' scores of 30-27, 30-26, and 29-27 in his favor.
With this win, Buckley, ranked No.11 in the welterweight division, improved his record to an impressive 19 wins and 6 losses, while Ruziboev's record now stands at 34-9-2, with 2 no-contests.
From the outset, Buckley took away the reach advantage of his opponent with precise striking and strategic takedowns, much to the delight of the roaring crowd. Despite Ruziboev's relentless pressure, Buckley showcased his ability to navigate the extreme height differential while utilizing his striking and wrestling ability to control the fight.
With his sights set on future challenges, Buckley called out some of the top contenders in the division, including Conor McGregor and Gilbert Burns.
"STL showed the love...This win was for the city, it brought the city together in a positive way and put us on the map for having the best fan base around. Getting the backing of my city will allow me to get that world title and bring the UFC back to St. Louis with me as the main event. The fans will show up and they better break another record." Buckley said in a statement to KMOX.
As he continues his journey towards UFC gold, one thing is certain – Buckley's star is on the rise, and the world is watching.
Sean "The Sniper" Woodson (Featherweight)
Another St. Louis standout who graced the octagon Saturday night is Woodson, a mixed martial artist with a boxing-heavy style. He took on Alex Caceres, whom he describes as a "borderline legend" in the game. Woodson secured the victory via unanimous decision with scores of 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28.
Woodson, affectionately known as the "St. Louis Sniper" for his remarkable reach and precision striking, showcased his skills in front of his hometown crowd. Reflecting on his victory and fighting in front of his fans,
"In front of this incredible crowd, in my hometown, it's just surreal. I can't even put it into words. St. Louis, you showed up tonight, and you showed out. Thank you for the love and support. It means everything to me." said Woodson.
With record-breaking attendance and unforgettable performances, UFC Fight Night St. Louis left an indelible mark on the city and further solidified the UFC's status as the premier organization in combat sports.
The local fighters thrilled the hometown crowd with their impressive victories, demonstrating the depth of talent within St. Louis' MMA scene. As these fighters continue to pursue their dreams and climb the ranks, they serve as inspirations for the next generation of athletes.
With the enthusiastic support of fans and the promise of future blockbuster events, the UFC's presence in St. Louis is sure to grow, ushering in a new era of excitement and competition for fight fans everywhere.