The UFC closed the UFC Fight Night card on Saturday at its Apex facility in Las Vegas to the public as well as the media.
The company declined to provide a reason for the closure at the time of the announcement earlier this week, but UFC president Dana White said Tuesday that he just wanted to give the media “a night off.”
However, the female strawweight opponent Mackenzie Dernwho was fighting in Saturday’s main event, told reporters on Wednesday that the reason behind the closure was Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg.
Speaking at a media day Wednesday in Las Vegas, Dern (February 12), who is scheduled to face China Yan Xiaonan (March 15), provided she understands that the closure has something to do with Zuckerberg.
“I know Mark Zuckerberg rented the entire event,” Dern said. “I know he’ll be there, but I don’t know if it’s him, his wife literally, or if he’s going to have friends – some kind of party. But from someone who wants a main event with the crowd. bronze, [it’s now] will be very, very private. “
Dern added: “I’m so excited. It just gives me more motivation to do a good show. I know everyone’s watching on TV, but for Mark and whoever’s going to be there, get involved. If that’s what they want to see, a show, then we’ll give a show.”
White took to Twitter late Wednesday and denied that Zuckerberg rented the Apex facility.
Earlier this week, the UFC warned its regular media members that there would be no press release for Saturday’s card. The event is also closed to the public for ticket sales.
The UFC has yet to comment on the matter beyond White, who said Tuesday that there is “no big secret” behind the decision.
Zuckerberg, 38, is a famous fan of mixed martial arts and even caused a stir earlier this month when he posted a video of himself practicing MMA.
